W-What is this?
Jougasaki!
Spring is the season of hope and new encounters...
But what was waiting for me...
...was the first tempest of the year.
Episode 1: The Academy SKETs
All set.
Year 2 Class C
Uh, I'm going to introduce a new transfer student now.
I-I'm Sugihara Teppei!
It's nice to meet everyone!
Right. His name is Sugihara Teppei.
Play nice with him, you guys.
Now, your seat...
The one over there, all the way in the back.
Right.
Uh...
Right, homeroom.
Or, whatever, really, I don't care.
Is there something?
Yes! The school beautification council has...
What? That? For Pete's...
Sensei, um...
We had to move because of my father's work,
Make it short, okay?
Right.
so I've transferred here into Kaimei Academy, starting today.
Lately, the trash separation has...
Finally, lunch time.
Hmm, I'm pretty sure the school store was over...
Somebody!
Somebody help me!
Like you, transfer student!
Me?!
I'm being chased by a hoodlum!
A hoodlum?!
Wait, that's obviously bogus. We're in the school, so...
He's gonna sell me off! Overseas!
I heard you!
You can't run any longer, Missy! Missy. Missy...
And here comes the weird hoodlum!
Um, what kind of joke is this, seriously?
I don't get it.
Don't just stand there, run for it!
Yeah! Come with us!
H-Hey!
Hold it!
Outta the way! Outta the way!
Hurry! We're being followed!
But, why?!
Who in the world are these people?
School Store
Looks like we're too late.
It's 'cause you made us put on that weird act.
Um, what is...
The strawberry-milk bread here is pretty good!
Keep that in mind, transfer student!
It's no fun eating by yourself, right?
If you'd like, come to our clubroom.
By the way, the upper classmen buy theirs in the morning.
Oh, come to think of it...
Move it!
Um, excuse me!
Let me through!
Shut it!
My life as an errand boy depends on this!
The three of them are my classmates.
It seems like they just started up a new club recently.
So, you're the Academy Activity Support Club?
Sket-dan, for short.
Sket-dan
We'll solve your troubles on the double! Come to us for help with any and all activities! Whether it's searching for lost items, or cleaning up the backyard, we always satisfy our clients!
Come to us for help with any and all activities.
Whether it's searching for lost items, or cleaning up the backyard...
In other words, in order for the students to live a smooth,
easygoing campus life, we provide universal assistance.
That's right!
We'll solve any trouble on the double!
We're the academy's support group that everyone counts on!
Uh...
Hey, don't go spreading lies like that.
Everyone says that the Sket-dan's just for odd jobs.
Our reputation is awful...
That we don't have any clients, and just spend every day hanging out, doing nothing!
All cause the Leader is a big fat slack-ass!
What's that supposed to mean?!
At least use words I can understand! You kinda hurt my feelings!
Um, you don't really have to fight over this...
Sket-dan Now Accepting Requests
You don't have to worry about it.
They're always like this.
Sorry about showing you that side of me.
Oh, right.
We haven't introduced ourselves.
I'm...
This here is our Amazonian Second in Command.
She's a dangerous creature so don't get too close.
Her acidic juices might get on your body...
She'll melt you.
Stop making crap up!
Look at him! The transfer student's cowering in fear!
She beat him! In a flash!
Well, I had a period there when I was a bit, rambunctious...
But you don't need to be afraid.
I'm very well behaved now! Like a hamster!
I ain't never seen a hamster as violent as you, dumbass!
Fine, I got you!
Don't move an inch!
I'll impale you and the transfer student together!
What? Me too? Why?
Onizuka Hime.
Nickname: Himeko.
Once known as "Onihime", the now legendary "yankee" more powerful than anyone.
H-Hey, there's no need to say all that!
Born July 7th, blood type B. Cancer.
Her favorite food is octopus-wasabi flavored lollipops.
Hey, that's enough.
Height: 162 centimeters. Weight: XX kilograms.
How the hell do you know that?!
Her bust, waist, and hip are, respectively...
Where the did you find that out?
You think that makes you so cool, huh?!
Her bodily fluids are naturally highly acidic and...
Hold it!
Um, I've been wondering about this, but what's with him?
Oh, him?
I am Switch. Usui Kazuyoshi.
I don't really get it, but it seems like he don't want to talk himself.
So he uses a custom speech simplesist software...
Speech synthesis software.
...to speak.
He can find out any personal info in an instant.
Better not to get too close to him.
For your information, I was born Feb. 28th, blood type AB, Pisces.
My favorite Visored is Muguruma Kensei.
Who the hell is that?!
And I am the leader of the Sket-dan, Bossun! Fujisaki Yuusuke!
Well, there's only us 3 members.
But we're always like this, pretty much.
If you ever have any trouble, come on by.
We'll help you out.
Right. Thank you for the offer.
Phew... I thought they were going to force me to join.
Of course...
You'll be joining our Sket-dan, riiight?
We'll give you this soccer ticket and this laundry detergent.
Now sign here.
I knew it!
But I think clubs aren't for me...
I'm not very good at making friends, see...
I've received information from a witness to the "Hageitou" incident.
It is just as you suspected, Bossun.
For real?!
Okay! Let's identify the culprit!
Oh? They're actually pretty serious about this.
W-What is this Hageitou incident?
Here.
Oh my god, a murder?!
No, no...
Hage Itou?
[Note: "Hage" means bald]
Yeah, see... It got out that Itou-sensei wears a hairpiece.
He was barely holding back tears, forcing a smile...
Poor thing.
We've been investigating the graffiti under the codename "Hageitou Incident."
[Note: "Hageitou" means Amaranthus tricolor, an ornamental flower]
Oh, I see...
Can't touch this! I'm hot stuff...
That's not cool.
Hi, hope you had a great first day!
Hey, do you want us to give you a tour of the campus?
N-No, I'm okay by myself!
That was fast.
He's avoiding us.
My fault?
It's actually a pretty big school. And there are plenty of different clubs.
Maybe I should...
No way.
I'm sure there's something else I want to do.
Please don't feed the fish
Damn, this pisses me off!
Screw this! How'd we get caught?
I'll never forgive those bastards in the Sket-dan!
I'll get them for this!
These guys must be the ones behind that incident...
Sneakin' around behind the scenes like that!
But that Onihime we've heard about is in the Sket-dan.
And w-what about it?
Everyone keeps makin' fun o' me!
What have you done now?
Who was that?
A transfer student. If I recall, his name is Sugihara and he's in class C.
Sheesh, I'm bored.
I wonder if anything'll come our way?
Like what?
Say, the door opens suddenly, and behind it is a victim covered in blood...
P-Please help me!
Yeah, just like that.
You're covered in blood!
Uh, you're mistaken! This is paint!
What? Paint? Don't scare me like that, man...
...hey!
What happened?
Um, you see, just before...
I was looking at the koi in the pond behind the gymnasium.
And then...
It was like I was dreaming or something...
Almost as if it were some horror story...
As if.
I ain't heard of an afterlife where ghosts drop paint on ya.
Y-You have a point...
However, I doubt that a new transfer student like you
would have someone with a grudge against you.
If it was a random criminal act,
then there is a high possibility there will be another victim.
I think so too, and that's why I came here.
I figured, this is a job for the Sket-dan!
Oh? Looks like the transfer student gets it!
But!
I'd rather it not involve me too much...
If it got around that something like this happened to a new transfer student so soon, then...
Yeah.
Secret investigations are our specialty!
We'll catch this "Paint Mask" before anyone ever notices!
Leave it to us!
Right. Thank you.
Got it, dudes?
Tomorrow, we start the ingest...
...the investigation!
He stammered?
So close! If you'd only said it right...
What? Don't be so picky!
Fine, I'll do it again!
And that's how I was wrapped up in an incident right after I transferred.
Start the instiga...
S-Start the gastr...
Sket Dance!
So I told her...
"I already have an angel, so I can't fly on your wings..."
Ma-kun, you're so slick!
Hey!
We gots something we needs to ask ya.
W-What?
Ma-kun, I'm scared!
Don't be scared!
You two lovebirds perch there all the time, don't ya?
I asked ya if you come here every day?!
Man, he's loud...
You guys didn't see anyone suspicious around here, did you?
Did ya see any evil lookin' dude that seemed outta place?!
She seems pretty suspicious herself...
N-No...
But when it comes to evil lookin',
I saw Jougasaki and his buddy painting over graffiti on the wall.
Painting? Jougasaki?
I believe that Mr. Itou ordered them to paint over the previously mentioned graffiti yesterday.
I see.
Anyway, later fools-in-love. And give it a rest already.
You'll break up soon, anyway.
Yeah, take it down a notch, seriously!
You're embarrassing just to look at!
Hey! Why're you throwing those lines out while you run for it?
Kosaka Masatoshi.
A crafty conversationalist, he's dated up to three girls at once in the past.
Lately he's bragged to his friends about how he's only aiming for stupid, easily duped girls.
H-How did you find that out?
Ma-kun...
Uh, you're cute when you're angry, my angel...
Ma-kun!
Right...
Jougasaki is definitely a bad enough dude to do something like this, so it's a possibility; however...
If we accuse him without any proof, it will backfire.
I'll leave you to investigate his background.
We'll tail him and get us some evidence.
Um, does this "we" include me?
You bet, rookie!
We're the Sket-dan!
All for one and one for all!
I think I'll just hold you back, so I'll go wait in the clubroom.
But I wanna finally show off our tailin' skills to our new member!
I told you already, I'm not joining!
And that's why I told him:
"You got a big mouth for such a weakling!"
Then he was shaking like a leaf!
Acting like that, it's a safe bet they've done something they oughta feel guilty about.
What the hell is with you using an afro as a disguise?!
You stick out like a sore thumb, you friggin' idiot!
I ain't frizzin'!
This is camouflage that allows me to blend into the bushes!
It don't look anything like the bushes!
You look like some old dude with a perm!
That stinks!
You're the one who set it on fire!
Sheesh... Huh?
Look! We lost track of them.
You search over that way!
Right!
Watch out, Bossun!
Huh?
Bossun, you okay?
Bossun!
Sorry.
Whatever, after him!
R-Right!
You ain't gettin' away!
Oww...
It's you!
Oh, the Sket-dan...
Himeko, where'd he go?
Oh, right!
Jougasaki, as we thought.
He's a fast one, ain't he?
You sure have a knack for spoilin' things, don't cha?
W-What? What'd I do?
So, you were always right here?
Yeah...
Thanks to you guys, Yumi-chan dumped me...
That was all Switch.
After that, I just stood there, looking at my reflection in the pond...
I, like that pond, had now lost my "koi".
[koi = type of fish]
[koi = love]
Do you have to sound like a smartass all the time?
Bossun, what's wrong?
Why wasn't he a victim?
Huh?
Why wasn't he targeted?
It's a mail from Switch...
What the hell is with that ringtone?!
Good work! (*-∇-)/♪
Finished with the investigation of Jougasaki! \(￣o￣)/
I got lots of info! I'll tell you all 'bout it late(＊`∀')b-rs!
b((((≧▽≦))))9 Shake-shake!
God damn his mails are high-strung.
Now, now... (＊＾o＾)ﾉ”(~~;)
Don't be so mad.
(SPARKLE SMILE) (｡∀・)ゞ
How the hell is he responding to me?
Actually, I'm nearby.
☆(・ω・*) *glance*
*glance*
You were here the whole time?!
So, when Jougasaki was in elementary school,
it seems he made a game of playing pranks on people and then running away.
So, have you figured anything out?
No, just a little longer...
I'm gonna piece it all together now.
Piece what all together?
It's best not to speak to him at the moment.
He's entered his "concentration mode."
When Bossun puts on his goggles, his concentration level shoots way up.
When Bossun gets like this, he's actually kinda awesome.
They're on!
Amazing... I can actually feel his intense state of concentration!
Bossun!
Man, I'm beat...
Now then... I'll tell you the plan.
Everyone, go home!
Huh?
We'll lure him out.
He won't target us unless we're alone, see...
But will you be okay alone, Bossun?
Sure, leave it to me.
Psych!
Don't move.
Good, Himeko. Nice job.
Now keep him...
Move, and I strip the skin off yer face.
That's scary, man! Just take off his mask!
I sent the real plan afterwards by mail.
Face it, you've lost, Paint Mask.
Well, I know who you are already...
...transfer student!
Y-You've got it all wrong!
What are you talking about? I was j-just checking out the area, and...
Holding a can of paint?
You said that you looked at the koi in the pond.
I can't believe that.
You probably got the wrong idea from the sign, but there's no koi in there right now.
Yup. There haven't been any since last year.
Therefore, the incident you told us about was a lie.
The reason you came to us with a request was to lure us out behind the gymnasium.
Your target is the Sket-dan!
And Jougasaki gave you the orders!
Right?
J-Jougasaki? Who's that?
I just transferred here, so...
Sugihara Teppei...
When you were in elementary school, you lived near here.
Jougasaki was in the same grade as you.
So you saw through everything?
That's right. I was bullied by Jougasaki.
The entire time in elementary school...
And then you moved at the same time you graduated.
You moved back to this town, then.
I thought this would be my chance to remake myself.
But Jougasaki is here in this high school!
Hey, Teppei!
It's me, Jougasaki!
We were together in elementary school, remember?
Let's play a little game of truth or dare, for old time's sake.
We used to do this all the time, remember?
I dare you to cover one of the Sket-dan in paint.
And you know what'll happen if you don't do it, right?
And so I...
Pouring it on yourself was to camouflage what really happened.
If you were a victim, there was no way you'd be a suspect.
But why'd you do everything Jougasaki says like that?
You think it's stupid, I bet.
But for me, it's a big problem.
You're laughing at me, I'm sure.
I ain't laughing.
This isn't funny at all.
Even though Bossun's lazy, he went out of his way to make this club.
He's a weirdo, right?
But he made it because he wants to help people like you.
It's no use.
I can't go against him!
A person like me can't have a peaceful campus life if I stand up to him!
I can't have it escalate by going against him...
I'll just try not to bother anyone, and get through it somehow!
What the hell are you doing?
Scary!
I ain't gonna push you and say something like "Get the courage and stand up to him!"
If you could do that, it wouldn't have come to this.
All you needed to do is tell me.
Say "I gotta cover you in paint."
If a friend's in trouble, the Sket-dan will save him!
A friend?
What's being covered in a little paint?!
I... I lied to my friends...
You don't got time to cry, right?
I thought you were remaking yourself.
Friends, clubs...
You'll experience all kinds of new things now!
Right!
Now then...
Where are you watching from, Jougasaki?
Crap, they knew!
Over there?
Wait, Jougasaki's here?
Yes. He's definitely nearby, watching.
Now then... Time to finish this, Teppei!
She's already gone!
Jougasaki!
O-Onihime!
Ever heard of something called a door?
You know what this is about.
Oh, Teppei? We were just kidding around...
I wasn't bein' serious...
Take responsibility!
The bully always says it's a joke.
But to the one being bullied, it's dead serious!
Get ready for it!
Damn it!
Fight a little yourselves!
What? He joined the basketball team?
Why?
He's always been interested in basketball.
He decided to do what he enjoys, and got up the courage to join, it seems.
By the way, his blood type is A, and his favorite Mobile Suit is Victory.
Good for him.
Yeah.
Putting that aside, it seems we have a new request.
Bossun, I think I'll be able to make new friends.
That's an odd wristband.
Oh, this? It was given to me.
As a proof of friendship.
I think I can change.
From now on, in all sorts of ways...
President, about last year's budget reports...
Hey, you heard of this "Sket-dan"?
Huh?
Hey! Is the request...
Yes. They would like our help.
Well, I guess it makes sense for us to fix it, but still...
Hi there! We came to answer your request.
Oh, it's you three.
Thanks for your help.
Who were you again?
Sket-dan -su!
I art known as Takemitsu Shinzou!
What century is this?
Why's there a samurai at our school?!
Yabasu!
Worry not!
This is a "repurika"-degozaru!
I didn't ask!
He is the captain of the kendo team.
As you can see, he lives in the present day.
Oh, I get it.
So, what's the request?
Listen to I!
When I hath a match...
Next time: Peppermint Samurai!
What?!
Yabasu!
We're the academy support group!
Sket Dance!