Yes, we're in Kobe
Mama? Yeah, we're here.
What kind of person is your mom?
Huh? What kind? Just a normal middle-aged lady.
Something more concrete!
It'll be fine, Erika.
She's not going to give you any tests or anything.
Hey, Mama's here too!
Kyoya's...
...mother?
Reika dear, welcome here!
I can't believe you came to meet us, Mama!
I had some business at the station, so I had Hitomi lend me her car.
Oh? Is this the little brother?
My! What a handsome young man!
If I weren't here on business, I'd make a pass.
Well, Reika. See you later!
That's the "Big Mama" who runs the local bar.
Huh? That kind of Mama?
Mama! This is Erika.
This is Kyo's girlfriend.
A pleasure to meet you, Erika.
A-A pleasure to meet you! My name is Erika Shinohara!
Thank you for coming all the way from Tokyo.
I'm so happy.
Y-Yeah...
Wow... what an elegant lady...
Was this really an appropriate souvenir?
Onikorogashi
It's been a while, Kyo. How have you been?
Well, normal, I guess.
I see, I see! Normal is good...
Wolf Girl & Black Prince
A Pressing Appeal - I Love You -
Hey! Hey, look!
Mustache!
She likes it! What about this? Bushy eyebrows!
Mama, she doesn't like it. That's courtesy laughter.
Are you sure you haven't had too much to drink?
Don't say that! We're free and easy today.
Right, Erika?
Y-Yes!
Look at this!
What?
Aren't they nicely curled? Aren't they?
Oh, amazing! They are! Isn't that cute?
Hey, Mama.
Isn't it? I took off from work today to go to the beautician.
R-Really?
Don't be fooled. It's just been a long time since Mama dressed up.
But I wanted my son's girlfriend to like me!
Oh, Kyoya. There's some sushi left. Want some?
Kyoya?
Kyoya! Eating your own fill then going back to your room is bad manners.
Hang out with us a little while.
Hey!
It's okay if he wants to relax. It's important to take it easy.
But, Mama, it's been so long!
Well, whatever. If Kyoya's gone...
Maybe I'll ask how you two got together!
What? Oh no...
It's a long story.
Oh, a romantic epic! Yay!
I'm sorry to ask for your help.
No, it's okay.
That Mama. She got falling down drunk so quickly.
She can't take her alcohol?
It's not that. She just got more worked up than usual today.
I think she was really happy to see you and Kyoya.
Has it been that long since she last saw Kyoya?
He hardly ever comes here. And Mama can't go to see him.
She can't go to see him?
Well, our parents live apart, you know?
They're effectively divorced.
At first, our parents got along really well.
But cross purposes or bad timing, I guess, just caused them to slip away.
I was old enough to accept it, but Kyoya...
Kyoya, I'm sorry. I know you're angry. But I...
You don't have to make excuses. I'm not mad.
That's what reality is, right? I'm glad I found out now.
He accepted it by closing his heart and giving up.
It must have been a big shock to him.
"I can't believe I did that to him."
"It's only natural that he hates me."
That's what she tells herself.
She also blamed herself for Kyoya becoming suspicious of romance.
I see...
But maybe he's gotten over that suspicion?
What?
Thanks to you, Erika.
It seems he's finally found someone to treasure.
This took kind of gloomy turn, huh?
Want to try on a yukata to wear at tomorrow's fireworks?
Oh. Sure!
Thank you for coming.
Welco—
Hey there, Ayumi!
I've got a lot more time on my hands now that I'm not messing around with girls.
So I got pushed into doing the shopping.
198 yen. 236 yen.
329 yen.
Ignoring me as usual...
Two for 218 yen.
That's right. Erika and Sata are in Kobe, right?
Apparently he made up with his mom.
138 yen.
Oh? Nice work, Erika.
She says there are fireworks today.
596 yen.
Fireworks?
98 yen.
I know! Why not come to watch fireworks with me?!
178 yen. That's 1,991 yen in total.
You're busy, then?
I'll be heading out now.
Have fun!
Kyoya! What do you think?
You're going already?
Yeah.
You want to go, too?
To dress up and get crushed by crowds?
Don't you have anything else to say?
You look like a child trying to act like an adult.
That won't work every time.
Stupid Kyoya.
You won't always have your way with me.
Erika. Would you like me to check your obi one more time?
That's what you think.
Shut up, you violent woman.
If you would.
You're always quick to try and slap me.
Then turn around.
Sure.
Are you ever going to let me go?
Just a bit longer.
Sure.
His mom really is cute.
"It's only natural that he hates me." That's what she tells herself.
This must be hard on her.
I don't have any childhood trauma, abandonment issues,
or unresolved grudges based on a bad parting. None of that.
Oh?
There. It's perfect.
Shall we, then?
Uh, sure.
Take care.
Wait.
I'm coming too.
Huh?
I don't have anything else to do.
What? But you refused before.
I changed my mind, idiot.
Have fun.
Huh? Don't you get feisty with me...
Wow! There are so many stalls!
Don't stop walking. There are a lot of people around.
Why did Kyoya come to Kobe?
Don't want to see her, either.
Was it really to make up with his mom?
He's not honest, so he might not admit to it...
What?
Oh, nothing.
Oh, this takes me back!
Kyoya did that a lot when he was little.
Really?
Mama loved goldfish.
This is it! Even if Kyoya's not honest, a shared memory could spark something!
Kyoya! Let's do it!
No. I don't want a goldfish.
You always said that back then, too.
There!
As I recall, you proved surprisingly good at that. Mama always praised you.
Kyoya! Let's play it!
No. I don't want any of the prizes.
Mama loves eating takoyaki with rice.
Kyoya! Let's eat some!
No. It's hot.
Those candied apples are so cute!
No, that's not right!
You like candied apples? Mama does, too.
I-I'll buy some!
Hey.
Darn it.
That girl's cute, huh?
You said it!
Think she's alone?
We should talk to her!
Gonna do it?
Two small ones.
Here you are.
Suddenly I feel kinda hungry.
M-Me too!
Let's get some yakisoba.
Yeah! Let's do that.
Huh? Kyoya, what's wrong?
Nothing.
Hmm, I see.
I thought it was strange that you suddenly decided to come.
I'm going to go buy some drinks.
Sure!
Oh, right.
Kyoya. Here. Give this to your mom.
Huh? Why?
As long as we're here, you should talk to her a little.
Come on. I don't need to.
Huh?
I don't know what's gotten into you,
but I don't need outsiders poking their heads into this.
But I'm not an outsider where you're concerned!
I'd do anything for you!
It's a pain. I didn't ask you to. After all—
I see. Fine.
Hey. Where are you going?
The bathroom.
Sorry for the wait. Huh? Where's Erika?
The bathroom.
Just kidding!
I knew Kyoya wouldn't be honest about it.
I can't be Kyoya's girlfriend if I let that get me down.
Yeah. It's Erika.
Erika? What is it?
The truth is, I have a favor to ask.
A favor?
So you got mad and made her sad, huh?
She got sad on her own. I didn't do anything.
Pathetic. If you weren't my brother, I'd smack you one.
You hit me all the time.
Hey, Kyoya, why don't you...
Don't say it. I don't need a lecture from you, too.
How about it?
I appreciate the sentiment, but Kyo wouldn't have fun with me there.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no, wait a minute!
Oh no! I didn't think about how to invite her.
What should I do?
The truth is, Kyoya and his sister got into a fight!
A fight?
They're really pounding on each other, blood flying everywhere.
It's going to turn into a full-out brawl!
E-Erika?
We've got to hurry, or we'll lose our spot!
It's looking really bad!
What a nuisance.
You're the only one that can stop the—
Did you put on weight again?
Erika? Hello?
Um, you'll come, right?
O-Of course!
I'll be waiting.
Okay! First hurdle cleared! Next...
This is...
Huh? No way. Why?
It can't be...
Huh?!
A Pressing Appeal - I Love You -
Erika's not answering?
It's strange that she'd take so long.
What a troublemaker.
Wait a minute. I'll come with you.
This is the end of the fairgrounds.
Hey, Kyoya!
Dear? Kyo?
Huh? Mama? Why are you here?
I got the strangest phone call from Erika...
What was it?
She asked if I'd come to watch the fireworks...
But she seemed really upset, and I got concerned...
When did that happen?
About thirty minutes ago.
That's around the time she disappeared.
Has Erika gotten lost?
She said she was going to the bathroom.
Wait, Kyoya.
Mama?
I'll search with you.
Erika! Where are you?!
Erika! Answer me! Erika!
Hey, Mama! You're yelling!
It's the only way we'll find her in this crowd!
Erika! Where are you?
We can feel embarrassed about it later. She's Kyo's precious girlfriend.
Besides, old ladies are allowed to yell a little. Leave it to me.
Mama...
Now let's get searching!
Erika! Answer me!
Erika! Where are you?
Erika! Are you okay?
Erika! Did you buy some ikayaki?
Mama, that's wrong.
If you answer me, I'll buy you some!
I'll buy one extra if you answer right now!
What is that girl doing?
Like a dog digging for a bone.
She's ruining that lovely yukata.
All dressed up with a hair ornament, too. What a waste.
Really.
Oh, what's going on? She's all dirty...
What's with that girl? Is she drunk?
Erika?
It's gone... it's gone... where is it?
What are you doing?
Kyoya...
What's the matter with you?
I-I'm sorry. I dropped the necklace you gave me.
But I'll find it, I swear!
E-Erika, stop it. It's just an object.
You haven't lost the memory and the feeling behind it.
But it's important to me! I got it from Kyoya!
It's not just an object.
I don't want to lose even one of my precious connections to Kyoya.
Erika...
Let's go. The fireworks are starting soon.
Kyo?
Kyoya...
Shut up and search.
Kyoya?
Oh, Kyo. It's been a long day, huh?
Yeah.
The fireworks were certainly beautiful.
We barely saw them.
Well, that's true.
Hey.
Thanks for today.
Helping with her, and the necklace, I mean...
That's all.
Erika's a good girl, isn't she? You've got good taste, Kyo!
Nah. She just started clinging to me.
Kyo.
Thank you for coming.
I hope you stay well when you go back to Tokyo.
Don't get hurt or catch a cold.
I guess it's too soon to say goodbye, huh?
From now on...
From now on, I'll come a little more often.
Thank you, Kyo.
Um, I'm sorry I got the yukata you lent me dirty.
It's no big deal.
I should apologize to you, too.
I'm sorry I said that stuff about Kyoya.
I'm sorry, but there's no way.
Just imagining him that way creeps me out.
I'm not lying. And it's not creepy.
Even Kyoya really can love a person!
You're the one who's treating him like a fool!
No, that's okay.
He's changed to an astonishing degree.
He never used to be the type to do things for other people.
I guess a woman really does mature a man.
But I don't think anything fundamental about him has changed.
Hmm?
If he'd been 100% unfeeling, he wouldn't have fallen in love in the first place.
He would say nasty things sometimes,
but even from the start, he could be nice.
But he's not honest, so it's hard to understand that about him.
That's true. Thanks for finding that in him.
I hope you'll take good care of him.
Sure!
Thanks for everything.
And for the chain, too.
No problem. This time, be careful not to drop it.
Sure!
Well, later.
Be well. Say hello to your father, too.
Sure.
What are you looking at?
This is...
Doesn't it take you back? Your sister gave it to me.
She said you were so shocked when she ruined your snowman, you started crying.
I guess you could be cute, too.
That's right. It didn't fall apart for no reason.
Huh? What is it?
No, nothing.
Hey. Next time it snows,
let's build snowmen just like in the picture.
Maybe I'll destroy them this time.
It's fine! You can destroy them all you like and I'll make more!
And even bigger than before!
That's right.
Huh? You met his mom?
She welcomed me!
And his sister said, "Take care of Kyoya!"
It's great when the family's on your side!
Right? That's one big obstacle out of the way.
You wanna see a cute picture of Kyoya? I've got it on my cell phone!
Hey! What are you do... ing?
Erika. Why don't we have a talk?
Okay.
Erika never learns, huh?
But...
Hmm?
I think it works for them, don't you?
Are you sorry?
Yes. I won't talk about it anymore.
Then you don't need this anymore, either.
Huh?
No! My treasure!
You have the real thing right here.