Conventions:
regular text: name of speaker, and spoken lines
italics: thoughts
(in parentheses): spoken words that are hand-written or not in the talk bubbles
bold: descriptions
bold and italics: translation note
Kouji and Atsushi are on the school rooftop.
Atsushi: pissed I definitely am NOT going to be a part of the Cheerleading Squad!
Atsushi: Are you listening?
Kouji is munching away at a sandwich and a rice ball.
Kouji: As a safety measure (against the other club leaders), it's perfect!
(Are you saying I shouldn't live a a decent life?)
Atsushi: Well, that's probably fine for you, but why do I have to be a member..?
Kouji leans into to take a lick a Atsushi.
Kouji: ???kawaii kuchi shite kara ni. nameru de-- hore hore.
Atsushi: getting nervous again Ina-
Yuriko comes out from nowhere.
Yuriko: acting quite calm Boy, it's hot around here.
Atsushi is quite shocked and pushes Kouji away.
Kouji: Hey, Yuri!
Yuriko: (With no developing relationship among these two, it's so boring.)
Yuriko: Sorry for interrupting at such a "delicious" moment, but can I talk with you two?
(page)
(page)
Title: Vol. 3 The Equation of a First Love
(page)
(page)
Still on the school rooftop.
Kouji: A basketball game?
Yuriko: Our school has had successive defeats and we've basically hit rock bottom.
Atsushi: (Would you like some tea?)
Yuriko: (Thank you. You're so nice- unlike SOMEONE else I know..)
Yuriko: My brother is already a senior and I would like to see them win at least once before he graduates.
Yuriko: turns to Kouji That's why we need you, Kouji, to help us out... (ah!)
Kouji is kissing Atsushi on the cheek. Atushi chokes on his drink.
Kouji: Sorry, can't do it. I'm already a member of the cheerleading squad.
(page)
Yuriko: trying to be nice But the cheerleading squad doesn't need any help, Kouji...
Atsushi is pushing Kouji away again. Kouji doesn't seem to mind.
Kouji: I'm a "ghost" member so I don't have to follow the clubs'regulations.
Yuriko: Can't you just listen to what I have to say?
Kouji: No thanks.
Yuriko: pissed Grrrr....!!!
Kouji flips her off.
Atsushi: P- Please calm down, let's talk this out.
(page)
Yuriko has got Kouji by the collar, when someone speaks from behind her. Someone: Don't bother...
The person is the Basketball Captain, Junishi Hayase.
Junichi: ..stooping down to the level of a boy who ingored the basketball team, Yuriko!
(page)
Yuriko: Junichi!
Kouji: Hey! Jun-chan! Have you got the team together yet?
Junichi: pulls Kouji by the collar Quit it with the "Jun-chan"!! Call me "sempai"! "Hayase-sempai"!! I am NOT going to let my team fall so low that we would need your sympathy!!
Kouji: So...., what's the problem, Yuri?
Atsushi: sweating in the corner (Woah. That was scary!)
Yuriko: All lies! My brother just can't ask for help directly that's all!
Yuriko: really determined Even if he was the only one who has gotten stronger, it doesn't help any!
Yuriko: Basketball is a team-sport!
(page)
Yuriko: Right now, everyone on the team is dragging my brother-
Junichi: pissed Yuriko!!
Junichi: his back turned Everyone is desperately trying as hard as they can. You, as their manager, have no right to say that.
Junichi: turns around Before we win, there is a ton of things to do! Don't ever rely on Inagaki!!
Yuriko: Junichi..
Junichi: You understand?!
(page)
Junichi: about to leave Oh. and one more thing..
Junichi: turns around to face Yuriko Don't you ever hang around a fag like Inagaki!!
Yuriko: What?! Don't talk to me about my personal life!!
Kouji is feeling up Atsushi in the background.
Atsushi: squirming (Stop it! I said stop it! )
Junichi: Whatever, just come here! drags Yuriko by her hair
Yuriko: Ouch!! That hurts! Let go!!
Atushi: in desperation Wait! It's a misunderstanding!! Just a.. misunderstanding...
Kouji: calmly As usual, the ever bickering siblings..
Kouji: In honor of the official recognition of our relationship,..
Kouji: tries to kiss Atsushi (Let's kiss!)
Atsushi: trying to get away I said it was a misunderstanding!!
Masayoshi: not seen The basketball team is also having troubles...
(page)
Masayoshi: interrupts Kouji about to kiss Atsushi Yo! Quite popular, aren't ya? Inagaki-chan, Alice-chan.
Atsushi: pushing Kouji away Umm.. No! This is not what you think!
Masayoshi: sitting down huh?
Atsushi: Nothing... Oh yeah. What do I need to be upset about?
(page)
Masayoshi: Speaking of, Inagaki-chan, you know the basketball team captain?
Masayoshi: leaning toward Atushi (Can I have a sip? just one sip?)
Atsushi: (It's whatever is left of what Yuriko drank, but...)
Kouji: opening a can of tea Yeah, well.. We had an inseparable relationship in Middle School.
Kouji: He kept on asking me to join the team, but all I was allowed to do is help when things got rough.
Kouji sips his tea while remembering the times when Junichi used to bug him
Young Junichi: urging young Yuriko WOW!! You MUST get him to join the team.
Young Junichi: yelling to Kouji who is in a soccer outfit. You were born to play basketball! Can't you realize that?!
Kouji: Finally, I seemed to have given up.
Masayoshi: Reluctantly, I see..
Atsushi: But, helping them out just once wouldn't be too bad, would it?
Atushi: And Yuriko was seriously asking for help...
(page)
Kouji: If Atsushi said he would "do it" with me once, then I might be in a good mood to say "yes."
Atsushi: turning bright red Quit it! Stop saying such strange things!!
Masayoshi: Different strokes for different folks..
Masayoshi: tossing the can Well, whatever happens, we are the Cheerleading Squad.
Masayoshi: Let's cheer them on with all our might!
Atsushi pictures Masayoshi in the Cheerleading Squad
Kouji: (If you get me one of those cool "happi" coats, I'll stay.)
Masayoshi: ( OK OK )
(page)
Scene Change: Club Lush at night (near Shinjuku Koma Stadium)
Woman's voice: Really?!
Three "women" and one "guy" are at Club Lush. From right to left: Catherine (male), Rena-chan (male), Tasuku-kun (female), Kayako-san (formerly male).
Catherine: A basketball game?
Kayako: Are you sure we can come and cheer?
Kouji: to Masayoshi I don't know about people outside of the squad cheering..
Masayoshi: Don't worry. This is one of the perks of being a teacher, (Ina-chan!)
Catherine: I can "be" (act) young again! Oho ho ho ho ho!
(page)
Masayoshi: With our blazing spirit, we will take the Goddess of Victory's "smile"!!
Catherine: (Oho ho ho ho ho! Leave it to us!)
Kouji: (oh boy) I am not too sure about this..
A door opens.
Kouji: I'm sorry, we are still setting up..
Kayako: Oh! Masami-chan!
Masami: Hello! Is Masayoshi here?
(page)
Masayoshi: Maa-chan! Why are you here?!-
Masayoshi covers his mouth
Kouji: looking suspiciously at Masayoshi Owner, who is he?
Masayoshi: Oh shit! If Inagaki finds out, then Arisawa will probably find out too.
A pic of Atsushi in Masayoshi's mind crying and in shock.
Atushi: (Why did you keep it a secret from me?!)
Masayoshi:quickly Maa-chan, can you come h-
Masami: I'm Masayoshi's older brother, Masami. Nice to meet you.
Kouji: Really?! You don't seem like brothers at all?!
Catherine: Owner is the "darker" one.
Masayoshi's foot is up in the air.
(page)
Masami: sitting down with Kouji You seem quite young, how old are you?
Kouji: Ummm.. this year,...
Masayoshi: ACK!
Masami: Masayoshi,..
Masayoshi: yes?
Masami: grabs Masayoshi by the ear. Come here for a second.
Masayoshi: Maa-chan, please overlook this!!
Catherine: (Oho ho ho ho ho!)
Kouji: (That Masayoshi Shibata) is quite funny when he lets himself be dragged by the ear.
Kayako: It's the weakness of being in love. (Owner is soo cute!)
Kouji: They are really brothers, aren't they?
Catherine: Yep. That is why it is soo interesting!
Masayoshi: It's just a temporary job, and I told him from the beginning that I will not let him have any alcohol.
Masayoshi: (Chief, I'll have a double Scotch, and Maa-chan will have juice.)
Masami: That isn't the problem!
(page)
Masami: If something happens, then it will be too late.
Masayoshi: I am being careful. When he is working, I am out here too watching him.
Masami: We promised to take care of dad's club because we stayed here in Japan.
Masami: Please don't make me worry, Masayoshi.
Masayoshi: leans in and touches heads with Masami. I will be careful.
Masami: Okay. brings his hand to Masayoshi's chin
(page)
Masayoshi: leaning in more to kiss Masami Just a little bit more..
Masayoshi: (If I do it now, I can make it as a joke...)
Masami: Masayoshi, there isn't anything else you are hiding?
Masayoshi: backs away with hands up What?! No! There is nothing else!!
Chief: (You have my sympathy, Owner)
Masami: slurping on the juice Hmmm.. a bit fishy...
Catherine: Hey, Masami, we you also come to the basketball game and cheer?
Masami: Eh? What?
Masayoshi: Oh boy.
Masami: A basketball game? hmm.. but I might have to work that day..
Catherine: (and Tooru-chan will be there too! There is no reason NOT to go!)
Masayoshi: (The game is about to be over soon..)
Masami: blushing (What? Now, wait a minute, Catherine-san!)
Masayoshi: (.. for both me and "him" (Arisawa) )
Catherine: to Kouji (There is a teacher at your school called "Tooru", right? A bear-like guy? Well, he is Masami-chan's boyfriend!)
Kouji: (WHAT?! Mr. Hagiwara's significant other is Masami??
(page)
Picture of Masami and a glass of Scotch
Masayoshi: (It cannot end in a mistake)
Scene change: Day of the Game
Loud Speaker: Half time!
Coach: Great job. Good work out there, Hayase.
Junichi has a towel over his head and breathing heavily.
(page)
Junichi: (Shit!) (I want to turn over this game. One shot will do it!)
Tooru: Hey! Sorry I'm late!
Masayoshi: (hey!)
Tooru: (Why are you guys dressed up like that?) How is the game going?
Kouji: We are being trampled on.
Atusshi: Mr. Hagiwara..
Tooru: huh?
Tooru: (oh..) That's bad.
Score Board: Jougaoka- 00, Kouei- 15
(page)
Tooru: Our cheerleading squad is pretty bad too. (Why is the "Lush" group here?)
Catherine: Oh! Tooru-chan! Long time no see! (Hyo ho ho ho ho ho!)
Kayako: Do you want to eat lunch?
Masayoshi: The one who can dodge the opposing team's defense seems to be just Hayase..
Masayoshi: (But, it that is just harsh doing it by himself.)
Atsushi: ....
Yuriko looks at her brother then stands up.
Yuriko: Kouji!!!
Kouji and Atsushi look down.
(page)
Yuriko: (Please! Just this once!)
Hayase panting
Atsushi: Puts his hand on Kouji Inagaki. Go out there!
Kouji doesn't look too happy.
(page)
Atsushi: I will cheer you on until the very end!
Kouji smiles. and then is hit by a basketball uniform in the head.
Masayoshi: Now that you have the "princess"'s permission to leave...
Masayoshi: all decked out in the basketball uniform Let's go!
(page)
Atsushi: "Let's go"? That doesn't mean Mr. Shibata is also going?
Tooru: Oh dear.
Masayoshi: Second half! New members coming in!
Masayoshi: We won't let another point get past us!
Yuriko: Sorry about this, coach. (I had no idea a teacher would be playing..)
Coach: Mr. Shibata!!
Random boy: This is absurd.
(page)
Junichi and Inagaki are out on the court.
Junichi: I am not going to say thank you, Kouji.
Kouji: That's fine. I am doing this for Atsushi anyways.
Junichi: (Shameless fag..)
Kouji doesn't flinch.
Junichi: Attack!!!
Everyone else: Yeah!!!
(page)
Junichi is trapped.
Masayoshi: Right here!
Junichi passes the ball to Masayoshi.
Opposing player: Shoot! Number 14!
(page)
Masayoshi does a behind the back pass to Kouji.
Opposing player: wha-?!
Junichi: (Inagaki?!)
Yuriko is praying.
(page)
Kouji jumps REALLY high and slam dunks!
Atsushi: wo-?!
Masayoshi: Aw right!!
(page)
Junichi: in shock ....
Opposing player: WHAT THE?!! That little guy just now jumped how many feet??!!
Junichi: (We can do it!)
Yuriko: We might win! (for the first time)
Other players: WOW! Great!
Someone: He(Kouji) blocked a pass!
(page)
Kouji passes the ball to Masayoshi.
Masayoshi: Ina-chan, thanks!
Masayoshi goes for a shot.
Someone: Don't let him make it in!!
The ball hits the rim and bounces away.
Atsushi; Awwww!!! (So close!)
Tooru: He missed on purpose.
Atsushi: huh?
(page)
Junichi grabs the ball
Atsushi: Oh yeah! Captain!!
Junichi makes a basket.
(page)
Yuriko: YEAH!!! Nice Rebound!!
The crowd is cheering wildly.
Tooru: Masayoshi's always been the type to make things dramatic. (from way back when...)
Tooru: He's also a natural teacher.
Masayoshi and Junichi do a sort of "high five"
Kouji: waves (Atsushi!!)
Atsushi: waves back ....
Narration: So, in the last half, the gap in the score was shortened.
Referee: Free Throw!
(page)
Yuriko: For this, it's got to be Kouji! to change the score!
Refree: to Kouji Here is the ball..
Kouji turns around.
Kouji: ATSUSHI!!!!
Kouji: If I make it in, will you let me kiss you!!
The referee almost drops the ball.
Atushi: in shock WHA--!!
Masayoshi: sweating (oh boy..)
Kouji: If you don't let me, then I will just quit this game right now.
Atsushi: What?!
Referee: blowing the whistle Hey! Do I need to expell you myself?!
(page)
The "girls" from Club Lush cover up Atsushi's mouth.
Atsushi: Mmmfpmfmm...
Catherine: We'll make sure he does! He's a man! He can take one "shot"!!
Masayoshi: hmm... Pretty confident, eh?
Junichi: Just make the shot, you freak!
Kouji: OK OK!
Kouji throws.
Narration: First one in.
Narration: Second one in.
Yuriko: Go!! Defense!!
Narration: Then, in the last four minutes...
(page)
Narration: Jougaoka held out...
Referee: Game Over!
Yuriko goes to congratulate Junichi, Masayoshi, and Kouji.
Narration: On this day, Jougaoka High School's Basketball Team had their first win.
Rena-chan kissed a dazed Tooru, Kayako kissed a random bystander, and chief is holding a Japanese fan while crying.
Catherine and Atsushi are cheering excitedly. An arrow points to Atsushi.
Arrow: Completely forgot about the kiss.
Masayoshi: gives a friendly jab in the jaw to Junichi Great game!
(page)
Masayoshi: Go get team players who worked so hard, to join us.
Junichi: big smile Okay! Thank you!
Junichi: Speaking of.. where is Inagaki?
Masayoshi: looking around hmm?
Kouji: ATSUSHI!!
Atsushi: turns around ah!
(page)
Kouji is running straight towards Atsushi.
Atsushi: Ina...
Atushi: remembering ah! I can feel a thirst for blood!! Ina-
Kouji grabs Atsushi...
(page)
and kisses him!! with everyone cheering in the background.
Club Lush "girls": Aw right!!!!!
Tooru: hand over his face Christ!! It's actually a picture of the cross
Junichi, Masayoshi, and Yuriko are looking up at the spectacle from court.
Junichi: upset That flaming moron!
Masayoshi: Those two have too much energy in them.. sweatdrop
Yuriko: looking around (A camera! Where's my camera?!)
Change in scene: Outside the gym. Sound of water rushing
Atsushi: wiping his mouth with a towel. Inagaki, you idiot!
Atsushi: (.. suddenly putting his tongue down my throat!!)
Masayoshi: not seen Whew! It's hot!!
Picture of the two water faucets.
(page)
Masayoshi puts his head under the rushing water.
Masayoshi: Yep! I must be losing all that teen energy!!
Masayoshi flips his long, wet hair back dramatically as Atsushi watches in awe.
(page)
Atsushi is still in dream.
Masayoshi: Arisawa...
Masayoshi: Can I have the towel?
Atsushi: blushes Ah! Sorry! Here! gives the towel while looking down.
Masayoshi: Thanks!
Atsushi: Just now, I think I saw some gold color sparkling in his hair..
Masayoshi: The Cheerleading Squad did quite well too.
Atsushi: huh> What should I do? My heart is beating fast!
(page)
Masayoshi: You seem to like cheering hard working people like Kouji, right?
Masayoshi: fishing through his pocket That is why I also want to..
Masayoshi: cheer you on. gives the photo to Atsushi.
Atsushi: surprised and then takes the photo Ah..
Masayoshi: I wanted to apologize to you earlier, but..
(page)
Masayoshi: I am not the Maa-chan, that you were thinking of..
Atsushi: clutching the photo That's okay.
Masayoshi: huh?
Atsushi: taking off his head band I... I like the Maa-chan who is here now, too!
Masayoshi: shit! No, wait! Arisawa...
(page)
Kouji: looking for Atsushi outside the gym Atsushi.. It's okay if your shy, really!
Voice: Inagaki-kun! Is the game already over?
Kouji: looks behind him huh? Oh!
Atsushi: still looking at the picture dreamingly I was just thinking about how I can make a whole bunch of new memories with Maa-chan for these next three years..
Masayoshi: takes Atsushi by the shoulders You're wrong! I am NOT your Maa-chan!
Atsushi: huh?
(page)
A Man is talking with Kouji.
Man: Masayoshi was also playing?!
Kouji: It was a bit strange playing with him, but he's really good.
Kouji: sees Atsushi Ah! Atsushi!
Masayoshi turns around. Atsushi is still in shock.
Kouji: Perfect timing! I want to introduce to you someone...
Kouji: This person is Mr. Shibata's older brother, Masami.
Atsushi: in even more shock Definitely. If it is Maa-chan ...
(page)
Masami: A...
Atsushi: No matter how many years we are apart, I can always recognize him.
Middle page spread of the four guys together.
Atsushi: I can definitely recognize that sweet smile..
(page)
Masami: Akkun, right?
Atsushi: And how he calls me by my childhood nickname... It is without a doubt..
Atsushi: in disbelief Maa-chan? The one who I have been searching for.
Kouji: What? You know each other? Oh. Well, I didn't need to introduce you then..
(page)
Atsushi: HE is the one I have always called "Maa-chan"!
Atsushi: So... that's is what you were trying to do...
Masayoshi is shocked by Atsushi's accusation.
Atsushi: From the beginning you knew my feelings... I didn't know I could be tricked like this.
Masayoshi: Arisawa.. I...
Atsushi: cringing back away from Masayoshi Don't touch me!!!
(page)
Atsushi: You're the lowest! I HATE YOU!!
Atsushi, crying, throws the crinkled photo at Masayoshi.
(page)
The photo lands at the feet of Masayoshi.
Atsushi runs away.
Kouji: turning around Atsushi!!
Masami: Akkun?!
Kouij: running after Atsushi Atsushi!!
Masami: looking back ....
Masayoshi: picking up the photo The Lowest, huh?
(page)
Masayoshi: Looking at the photo I'm sorry, Maa-chan...
Masayoshi: I.. I think I have wounded Atsushi really bad..
(page)
(End of Chapter 3)