Wa..wait a minute Master, I'll do it.
Oh, right, sorry.
So what should I do?
Well...
- First, focus your full attention - That's exactly what he just said.
Well, there's no other way to say it
- So then he was teaching him fine.
If you can't do this, you'll end up like that champagne bottle.
- Hold on a minute. - If you put him under that kind of pressure...
Man, this guy's pretty scary.
- Enough already, just focus. - Oh, right.
Triangle.
If you don't get the next one...champagne.
Anway, first off, lose the shades.
- Huh? - Pretty half-hearted, huh?
- You're not taking this X-ray vision thing seriously, are you? - No no no, it's not that.
And what's with the shades inside anyway?
No, it's not that, it's just my sign.
Your sign?
Wait, are you by chance meeting someone?
No no no, not really.
Who is it?
It's not really like that.
Ah...I'm here.
- Hurry up and call it off! - Triangle.
Hurry!
I...uh...don't have my phone...
- Sure you do. Right here! - Star.
Ah...um...are you closed?
Uh...is there someone here...let's see...Kan...?
Are you Kanda?
Yes.
Oh, sorry I'm so late. I'm Sakurai from Wangan TV.
Nice to meet you.
Did you notice the sign?
Oh...yeah...
- Wangan TV? - Media?
I kept getting held up along the way
Are you here to meet with Kanda?
Yeah, that's right, as research for a TV show.
- A TV show? - Yeah.
It's a TV show about psychic phenomena called "Asunaro Psychic."
One that's on now?
Yeah. And Kanda here sent in a letter.
That's right.
A letter to get on the show?
- As Thin Man? - Yeah.
If you've got something to show me, by all means...
Alright, well then let's head over to where I can show you.
- Yeah, sounds good. - It's just right over there.
- Oh, really? - Yeah yeah.
- What are you talking about? - Right this way...
There's some perfectly spaced fence around here somewhere, right?
A fence?
Yeah, over by this pond near here.
- Thin Man...? - Yeah, Thin Man.
He's gonna show off his Thin Man ability at that fence.
That's right. Let's go!
OK.
- Was there a fence around here? - Huh?
Nope, no fence that we know of...
Yeah yeah
There's not?
- Sure there is. - They tore that down a while ago, didn't they?
Oh, that's right.
Yeah, it seems like they didn't really need it.
In this town...
there aren't any fences that I can think of.
- See. - Come on, there's gotta be somewhere...
Can't you just do it right over here?
He often does it here, doesn't he?
This is kind of like his "home ground".
Oh, is that so?
- This'll do fine, right? - Uh, well, I guess it's OK...
Uh...well then...
would it be OK for me to do the interview in here?
Of course! Right, Master?
Yeah, please, go right ahead.
We were all just having a party.
Oh, that's why you're closed.
Yeah.
Oh! We better clean up the Uno cards.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, we don't have enough for all of us to play, huh?
Allow me to introduce myself again. Sakurai from Wangan TV.
Sakurai...Yone?
- Yeah. - Ohh...
It's kind of an old lady's name...
Yeah, isn't it? I'm always a bit embarrased.
This situation can't get any worse.
And now the media of all things...
Oh, talking about names...
This place has a pretty strange name too, huh?
Yeah, it does, doesn't it?
I thought it would be perfect for today's meeting.
What's the history behind it?
Huh? Oh...uh..well..
It was like a punishment for a losing...
A punishment?
Yeah, we kinda got stuck with the name change.
Yeah, it did happen like that, huh?
- Yeah. - It was like a showdown between cafes.
- Oh, that's pretty rough. - Right?
Huh? Oh, yeah, it was a pretty big blow.
You were pretty late, huh?
Oh, yeah, sorry, I had a little trouble earlier.
- Trouble? - Yeah, the guy I was interviewing before
ended up in the hospital.
- The hospital? - Yeah.
The Cool, Calm, and Collected Man.
He said he could get bitten by a poisonous spider and he'd still be cool calm and collected.
But it seems like he went a little bit past his limits.
- Ohh... - Pushed himself a little hard, huh?
- Yeah, something like that. - So then
any ability is OK even if it's not supernatural?
He just sounds like a guy with a strong constitution.
Your rivals just decreased by one.
Oh, sorry. Well then...
let's just start with a spoken interview if that's OK.
OK
Is that alright?
- Please... - Thanks...
Well then, first off
tell me about how you first came to realize you had a power.
OK. Hmmm, let's see...
Hmmm....the first time...uhh....well to start...uh...
when I was born I was premature.
Oh...I see...
And also, let's see, I only weighed about 1800 grams.
and the doctor said I was kind of a miraculous child.
- A miraculous child... - That's what he said.
I mean that's what he said anyway.
Miraculous...
And then, I guess it was about when I was 5...
I got the measles and I quickly lost quite a bit of weight.
Oh..so you kept losing weight...
Yeah, you know...there's more though...
And then, when I was about 7...?
Uh...what was that!?
I don't know, looked the lightbulb died.
Please continue.
Uh, well, anyway, I went through a bunch of stuff like that and ended up like this.
I raised the pressure a bit.
- Don't be so reckless! - Yeah, come on, don't use your ability!
- You'll end up on that show. - Oh...yeah...
Oh, well, why don't I just go ahead and show you my ability...
Yeah...sure...
That way would be better, right?
It'll be much easier to understand.
OK, well then, please go ahead.
Alright, I'll just do it right here then.
It's not all that great an ability.
- It's a pretty boring ability. - Come on guys, cut it out.
Ah, whatever, anyway...
is it OK for me to start running the camera?
- Ah...you wanna start now. - Yeah.
So then this is the critical moment, huh?
Oh, yeah, I guess so.
Tada!
Uh...um...it's really not a big deal if you're in the shot too.
No no no no
- We really don't want to be videotaped. - We all believe in the theory that the camera steals your soul.
Go ahead and tape Kanda...
Well then, please.
OK...
Uh...um...I think the lens cap is still on.
- Oh, sorry! - It is, right?
- Forgive me.
Bit of a scatterbrain, are you?
No, I really will do a good job.
- Please! The camera! - Sorry.
Alright, this time for real.
OK
5 seconds...4...3...
OK then...here I go...
And there you have it. The Thin Man.
Oh, you meant there?
- Huh? Oh...yeah...here... - I thought...you know...here...
Huh? No, come on, that would be impossible, right?
- Oh...yeah, I guess it would be, huh? - Yeah.
I'm not full of cotton, you know. You're expectations were a bit high.
This width is pretty much the limit. Well, for people...
So, it's not really a supernatural ability, but more like...
Yeah, I guess, more like a surprising person...
Yeah, that's it.
- Thank you very much!
What's this?
Looks like rejection.
Well, that's not really certain yet...
If need be, maybe someplace just a little narrower
I think I can do it if I really try.
- Uh...well... - If you know of some narrow place...
It's alright...
Ohhh...
- She seems a little indifferent. - Oh...no...it's not that...
I got some good footage. Thank you very much.
Don't mention it.
Ah...well then, for now here's a commemorative pen.
- Oh...a pen? - Ooh, that's pretty nice.
Oh, also, if you come to visit the studio,
you'll also recieve this nice sticker.
Doesn't look very good for him, huh?
Just the normal treatment for a regular viewer.
Ah, can't be helped I guess.
Well, there's still that tighter spot...
Maybe you should try again when you manage to fit through there.
There's no way I can fit through something like that.
- Excuse me. - Yes?
About that poisonous spider you mentioned before...
it didn't happen to escape, did it?
Oh, no, I think it's OK.
You think?
Yeah, well...
I left it to Cool, Calm, and Collected Man
So what color was it anyway?
Black.
Did something happen?
Uh...no, I'm just interested.
Thank you.
- What's up? - Uh, well...it's uh, here.
- Here? - The poisonous spider.
- Where is it? - Uh well, that's just it...
It's in the business card holder in the inner pocket of her jacket.
Business card holder?
Yeah. I was just thinking I'd check out her business card
and I came across the spider. You know, with the X-ray vision...
What should we do?
Why'd you have to find something like that?
It's not my fault I saw it.
Yeah, but when she took out her card earlier
there wasn't anything in there then.
Maybe it's dead.
No, it didn't fall out, so it must have been holding on inside.
It might bite her the next time she opens it up.
Yeah, you're right.
Well then, thanks again.
- Are you leaving? - Yeah, I'm all finished.
There's no real rush.
- It's Christmas Eve. - Yeah.
- Ah, yeah, but I really need to head back to the office in Tokyo
- Ohh... - You're pretty busy, huh?
- Thanks again.
Oh, that ability!
Ah, that's right. Didn't you tell her?
- Oh yeah, that one you were holding aside. - What are you talking about?
Wait, you didn't tell her?
It's no good if you don't tell her.
It's definitely much better than the Thin Man thing.
Um, excuse me but...
would you mind telling me more?
See.
That more amazing thing...
Umm...
- Here you are. - Oh, thanks.
- And for you. - Thank you.
Maybe you should just tell her the truth.
I mean, you did see it.
- Kakei. - I can't.
How should I tell her? I mean, she's with the media.
- Alright, could you please tell me. - Oh, right.
I've also got this other ability I call Rolling Stone.
- Rolling Stone? - Uh, yeah, well, see the main point is
I get inside a sports bag, but that's not all.
While inside I curl up into a ball and roll around.
- Ohh... - It's like that.
For example
is it OK if I borrow this for a minute
Yeah, no problem.
Oh, there's quite a bit in here.
Oh, heh, yeah...
Uh, if it's OK, I'm gonna empty it.
Is that alright?
Uh...sorry, just this
Oh, sorry.
The point of this is to kill the spider, right?
- Yeah, that's true. Why? - Do you have some idea?
Well...
- No! - You can't handle subtle complex motions.
I was just gonna squish it.
It'll turn out just like the champagne before.
Oh, yeah...
- Oh, it's nothing. - Please continue.
And, well, this'll look like a rolling stone.
So I call it the "Rolling Stone"
Oh, I see...
Yeah
- That was close. - We can't use our abilities.
Yeah, but that's not a bad idea.
We just have to kill it without her knowing.
- Yeah. - That's just it...Koyama!
- Huh? - The Time Stop!
- Just go over there and crush it and then come back over here. - Yeah.
You've already recovered, right?
Yeah, but I only have 5 seconds...
- 5 seconds is more than enough. - Just like taking the hair out of that udon.
I'll have it done in 3 seconds.
It'll really be bad this time if I get caught.
1...
2...
3...alright!
- 2 looks a little difficult. - It'll be fine. I've got an extra 2 seconds if I need them.
Crush the spider and give her a kiss.
If I've got the time!
Just go ahead and zip it right up.
It's not...
Alright, then I just curl up like this and roll around.
1...2...3...4...5...
So, then, it's basically not that different from the Thin Man.
Yeah, I guess you can say that. They both use my body as the main point.
Did everything go alright?
Yeah...I mean, I didn't get caught.
- Were you successful? - Yeah....
- But it's still there. - Sorry.
You didn't do it?
No...I mean, I was really close.
You had 5 seconds, where were you wandering to?
- Well... - You said 5 seconds was plenty of time.
- Well, it's just... - See, I told you it was pretty useless.
So let me see if I've got this..
- Yeah. - basically...
you just climb inside a sports bag and roll around, right?
Oh, well you see, I've been doing it since I was a kid
I used to play inside this bag in the alley
and this one time I got chased by a dog.
So while still in the bag...
I rolled away from the dog.
I've got a bunch of stories like that.
Why don't I go ask her for her jacket?
- But I wonder if she'll take it off. - Yeah, she's been wearing it the whole time.
Well, what if, like in "The North Wind and the Sun"
Oh, the old Aesop fable?
We should present her with a situation where she'll naturally take off her jacket.
Yeah.
Alright, I'll be the wind!
- No! - The wind lost, right?
- We need to be the sun. - Ohh...
We could use the air conditioner to slowly raise the temperature of the room.
- And then when she get's hot, she'll take her jacket off. - Yeah.
And then you can go over and collect her jacket, Master.
- This might just work. - Master, where's the remote?
O...over there...
Of all places...
Ide, can't you just operate it from over here?
- Huh? - You know, your ability...
Electrokinesis
Ohh...
Yeah, but, I'm not really very good with household electronics.
Oh, come on, just give it a shot.
But, I mean, an airconditioner from this distance...? No way.
You can do it.
I mean you're the guy who turned the TV on before.
Well, can I ask you guys to cover me?
Cover?
When I really concentrate, I can't see anything around me.
It would be really bad if she sees me.
We'll take care of it for you.
- Please! - Sure.
Oh, come to think of, I can fit through a hanger too.
Oh...I can fit through a hanger too.
Oh, so you're Thin Woman?
No no no, I wouldn't say that...
Well, but you...could...be...
Uh...right...?
- Ide. - Hey, Ide.
She's looking.
Ide really does love his coffee.
Yeah, it's an addiction.
If you need some, just ask for it.
Master, please, some coffee for Ide...
- A pitcher. - Coming right up.
- Please, continue. - We'll have this sorted out in just a minute.
- It's just withdrawal. - Please, go ahead. You really don't need to worry.
OK...
- What were talking about? - Yeah...
- That's as hot as it goes. - Good work.
- That was pretty amazing! - You don't think she suspected anything?
No no no...
Cause I really can't see anything around me
Thanks for waiting.
What's that?
- Don't say anything, just drink. - Huh?
Wow...
It's getting pretty hot in here all of a sudden, huh?
Yeah...
Again?
This air conditioner is always breaking.
Always goes to the highest setting and won't shut off.
- Yeah. - Oh, really?
- I'm begging you, fix it already. - Huh? Oh...sorry.
Why don't we take our coats off?
When it gets like this, there's nothing else to do.
What about you Sakurai? Aren't you hot?
Please feel free to take your jacket off.
Ah, but I should be going soon.
Don't say that.
Have you already finished with Kanda?
Yeah, I, uh, think I've heard quite enough.
Thank you all again.
Oh, by the way.
I can predict the future.
Predict the future? You can?
Master's been training for a while, hasn't he?
- Yeah, he can predict the future. - Aren't you a little curious?
Oh...yeah!
If you flip a coin
I can guess the result 5 out of 6 times.
5 out of 6 times, huh...?
You're a little better than that, aren't you?
- I've told you before, that's still all I can do. - One more time.
- 5 out of 6 times is a pretty good achievement.
Uh...but for our show...
- What the?
Kanda, what are you doing?
Me!?
Don't be so reckless.
It's because he was rejected I bet.
Sakurai's the wrong person to be getting mad at.
I'm sorry.
I lost my temper.
- Man... - I'm sorry.
Oh, quick, it's gonna stain, take it off.
We'll take it next door and get it all cleaned up.
Yeah.
Kanda's always doing stuff like this.
- Hurry while we've got it. - That move was a bit sloppy.
It looks like it worked out alright.
- It's inside here, huh? - Yeah.
As soon as you open it, it'll be right there.
Here goes.
Did you get it?
I really am sorry.
Ah, well, it's all in the past now.
Let's turn on the Tv.
Yeah.
It's great when humankind is bright and sunny
but when we are cloudy and overcast, it's not so.
It's been about 2 hours so far
UFO-Man is continuing to send his thoughts
Hehe, "Asunaro Psychic"
He's been at this for quite a while, huh?
I wonder if a UFO is really gonna come.
You didn't by chance mistake this character for a spider, did you...?
Uh, well, I mean, in Mincho font, it does look quite a bit like a bug.
And it does have like 8 legs...
Sorry.
This is a bigger mistake than Doraemon and the character for wind.
I really blew it. Sorry.
Oh, and why were you looking at her business cards anyway?
Because...uh...you see...
I thought I'd check her out.
You know...that she was Sakurai...from uh, Wangan TV. No no no no...
It's not like that. Really, really, that was it.
Come on, I wouldn't try to get a free peek.
You guys are way too suspicious of X-ray vision. Wait, no no no...
If we can all become bright and sunny,
we should be able to create a blue sky without a single cloud.
Let's give it a try.
Let's aim for that cloudless blue sky.
Not a single cloud. Let's all try.
And then the sky will look down on us and say
"Alright, today is the perfect weather for a picnic."
Well...that's it...
In the end we weren't able to see any UFOs. Now, back to the studio...
Hey you, give us our time back.
No, no, there was just bad reception today.
He's not a cell phone.
Don't laugh!
A UFO is definitely gonna come.
There are a lot of things that can't be explained by science.
- Unbelievable. Unbelievable... - Hey...
if we're to believe that
that means Santa is real too.
Santa IS real!
Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
Are you for real?
This is getting pretty bad.
He's getting beaten down pretty bad, huh?
But, I mean, for the most part, there's no way supernatural phenomenon really exist.
Don't you think so?
Unbelivable. Unbelievable...
If you just believe, there will certainly come a day when you can see.
This is the first time the editor-in-chief has been this excited.
- 800 yen... - Thank you.
- Can I have a receipt please? - Sure.
- Make it out to Wangan TV. - Understood.
Thanks everyone, for everything.
What was all of this?
Ridiculous. This stupid pervy "ESPer"...
Come on, enough with the "pervy ESPer" stuff
Hey, Shiina, check real quick to make sure she doesn't suspect anything. You know, with your telepathy.
- Pervy "ESPer" - Not so loud!
- This pervy "ESPer" - Thank you very much.
- To remember this... - Huh?
It's OK.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable.
The man who can communicate with UFOs; UFO-Man
Humankind...
These are cold times...
Anyone who says anything strange gets laughed at
- Yone! - Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
Will you come deliver presents tonight?
It's your crusade. Don't return empty handed.
Nnnn, cool, calm, and collected.
Santa IS real.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
And here it is....the character for wind.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
There you have it. The Thin Man.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
If you just believe, there will certainly come a day when you can see.
I can predict the future.
Alright. Today is...
perfect weather for a picnic.
We've waited for a long time, and still no UFO.
He's tried evey approach...
Unbelievable. Unbelievable...
Thank you very much.
- Here's your receipt. - Oh, thanks.
Well then, I'll be going.
So?
She still really wants to believe.
She doesn't want to give up on her childhood dreams.
Well, I guess it's not our concern.
I mean, even knowing about it, there's nothing that we can do.
We've made a decision not to use our abilities on a regular basis.
But it's nice.
Up until now, I've dealt with all of this alone.
But today, I got to meet all of you.
It's the first time I've been able to share it with someone else.
It was really nice.
Is that really it?
Yeah.
I don't like it.
Me either.
I feel like we're wasting our potential.
Ohh...
That's pretty good.
Wait a minute. Are we really gonna do this?
Yeah, I mean, it would be wrong to just let it end this way.
What with us all here together.
Let's call it a continuation of our "ESPer" party.
Yeah!
Sorry. Sorry.
I...uh...I'm not really an "ESPer"...
Hey...hey...so this, uh, this means I'm not gonna die?
- Can we borrow this for a minute? - Oh..sure.
- Do this and you can go home. - Huh?
How about using this?
Oh...yeah. That's good.
Is there anything else for me to do?
- No, we're good. - Oh, OK, I'll just sit over here.
Sakurai. It's OK...
There's one more thing we'd like you to see.
You have to see this.
Please!
Here they come! He's back!
Tails!
Man...
3 right and 2 wrong so far, right?
Yeah...alright! Next one will be...
Umm, excuse me.
I'm really OK.
I really don't believe.
Sakurai, please look closely.
I mean, isn't it a little childish?
For a grown-up to believe in supernatural abilities...
You don't know what's going to happen until it happens.
What could that be?
I can hear some kind of bell.
A bell?
It's kind of an electronic sound.
Here we go...on the count of five...
It's outside the window.
- Let's open it and take a look! - Yeah!
- OHHH! - Huh?
- Forward. Forward. Forward.
- Wait wait wait...whoa...
Wasn't that Santa just now?
Yeah, he was flying!
Sakurai, get your camera!
- What a scoop! - You've gotta chase after it!
Yeah!
Hurry! Hurry!
Something up?
I guess I'll just never get that kiss.
Are you alright?
Yeah, I mean, he is the Thin Man. He's much easier than the factory chief!
Should that really matter with a psychic ability?
Oh no!
- Did you drop him? - Yeah...
But the pond isn't frozen, so he should be fine, right?
It's so cold.
So cold...
- You guys! - Hey!
Welcome back.
- How'd it go? - Did you get some good footage?
Yeah!
Alright!
I still can't believe he's real.
Yeah, to be able to actually see Santa...
He didn't have any reindeer with him though.
They probably finished delivering presents and went home.
- He could even fly just by himself, huh? - Yeah.
Well then, take care.
You're really gonna surprise your director.
It'll be great if it makes it to air.
Hey...you guys...by any chance...
What is it?
Is something up?
It's nothing.
Thank you very much.
To remember you by.
It's OK. I won't tell anyone.
Hold on tightly to that spoon in your heart.
You got it.
Well then, I'm off.
Goodbye.
Why did you say that at the end?
- Huh? - That was one of her mental images, wasn't it?
If you do things like that, she'll catch on to us.
She already knows now, doesn't she?
I wonder...
What's up?
That was the first time
I've ever had my telepathy used on me.
That was a pretty crazy night.
There's cake and champagne everywhere.
Speaking of which, both of those were you're fault, weren't they?
Here you go.
What's that?
I went to get it earlier.
Why?
Somehow I just had the feeling things would turn out this way.
- You mean... - A premonition.
A premonition!?
I'm getting more and more skilled at it.
Oh, so you mean, you were serious before?
Yeah. But my success rate is still pretty low though.
I'm from Yogashi World. I've got that cake you ordered.
- Oh, thanks a lot. - My pleasure.
I ordered this too.
Oh, you're right again.
I'm really in tune here.
What do you think?
Kanda!
You came back!?
Where am I supposed to go like this?
Uh...uh..are you OK? Wha...what happened?
Wh..who are you?
It..it doesn't matter. You'd better take that off.
Reunited with the reindeer...
But really, why'd you come back?
Come on...
You never finished teaching me X-ray vision
Well, first, let's get you changed.
Oh...thank you.
X-ray vision?
Ps...psychic powers! "Cafe du Nenriki (psychic powers)"
Oh, I get it, that's why it's called Cafe du Nenriki!
Am I wrong? No, right? Is that your playroom?
A psychic playroom. An X-ray room...
Merry Christmas. Thank you for coming.
You really came all the way back here to learn?
Yeah, Thin Man was no good. I mean at least...
I thought maybe I could learn X-ray vision.
You must be freezing. I'll have this place warmed up in no time.
Is that really gonna be enough?
Oh, by the way, about that "ESPer" that helped out Master...
What kind of a person was he?
Oh...well, a while back in this neighborhood
Master was apparently attacked by a stray dog.
- And? - Well, then...
Just when he had been pinned up against a wall and was completely helpless
A sports bag suddenly rolled across right in front of his eyes.
A sports bag?
Yeah, just rolling across the ground all by itself.
And then the dog started chasing after it
and Master was saved.
Wow...
Definitely the work of an "ESPer"
Helping out without showing himself.
Pretty cool...
- The very model of an "ESPer". - Yeah.
Completely different from some pervy "ESPer".
- Sure is. - Come on, enough already.
Sorry to keep you waiting!
- All better, huh? - Let's get down to business.
No problem. Anytime.
X-ray vision is the basis for everything.
It all begins and ends with X-ray vision.
Quit treating it like a beginner's course.
Let's see, what was it? Uh...ummm...
Oh...focus your full attention...
then start to form an image in your head...
Come on, I'm teaching him!
Absolutely!
Alright, here we go.
Square.
- Oh, so close! - Just a little further...
- Alright! - That was just by chance.
Oh, so close, so close...
Somewhere out there, a UFO is flying around,
Bigfoot is wandering about,
Nessy and Kusshi are sleeping at the bottom of a lake,
and a bunch of "ESPers" are having a party.
The doors are all around us.
You just need to choose whether or not to open them.
I believe that long ago, an "ESPer"
gave the key to open those doors to the children of Japan.
And that key has gotten pretty bent out of shape...
Miyano! Miyano! Look...
What? What? Was there an accident?
No, no, look, over there, over there.
- Where? Over where? - Up there. Look!
- Up? What did you see?
Come on, what was it? Where? I can't see anything.
What is it? Is something up?
Huh? No, no no no. No way...
I think we've been brought together by fate.
I would really like it if you would be...
Hey! Hey! There's a light!
Who gives a damn a about Christmas Eve...