This sucks...
We don't have enough members for next week's game.
Shouldn't we go ask the Sket-dan at a time like this?
Note: Suketto (Sket) also means "ringer"
That's right.
They say they'll come help anyone who needs it.
They have a reputation of doing a pretty good job.
Really?
Keep talking. I wanna hear more.
Sket-dan Now accepting requests
I'm comin' in!
Episode 7: Summer Sakura
Himeko...
You ass-wipes the Sket-dan?
You'll do anything, right?
I got a request, so...
Start over again from when you entered, big guy.
Why, hello!
A stand-in?
What do you mean?
Look here.
I got an old friend who moved.
Now I'm a pen-pal with her, but I did it like it ain't from me.
His face when he doesn't understand at all
Her face when she doesn't have any intention of comprehending and is getting progressively more pissed
And now she's comin' here!
I want you to go instead of me!
His face when playing a dating sim
You'll take this request, right?
Explain again so we can understand it.
Why do you keep grabbing my neck?
When I was a kid, there was a girl in my neighborhood named Misaki.
We were really close.
Her body's been weak since she was born.
She couldn't play outside, so I'd come over to her house and play a lot.
What's your favorite color, Misaki?
Color?
Yeah!
I'll fold 1000 cranes for you!
You will?
Can you fold them right, with your large body?
Now is the time to view the sakura at Kobukuro Park...
My body doesn't have anything to do with it!
Today, many people are visiting for hanami (flower viewing).
Let me think...
In this park there are about 1000 Somei-Yoshino sakura trees,
Pink...
and even though it is within the city, it's a well-known spot for hanami.
I really love sakura...
And it's right during peak season, although I can't go...
You can also rent boats for the pond inside the park.
You can smile up at the sakura while riding a boat!
I'll take you!
As an aside, the boat rental fee is 400 yen...
Don't worry, leave it to me!
How pretty...
Thank you, Te-chan!
Let's come back here again next year.
And the year after that...
And each one after that, forever...
I'll take you, okay?
Yeah!
Hey, Misaki!
It's okay, for some reason I'm feeling really great!
Misaki!
Misaki accidentally fell into the river.
Misaki...
Misaki, she...!
Afterwards, her condition worsened, and she was on the brink of death...
You little brat!
Never come near our daughter again!
Harbinger of death!
A few months later, Misaki's family moved away.
I thought to myself... If I hadn't done what I did,
maybe Misaki's condition wouldn't have worsened?
I could hardly bear it...
After that, I started going down the wrong path...
I see.
So that's why you're like you are now.
If Misaki sees you, she'd break into tears!
The main part starts now!
I couldn't help but worry about how Misaki was doing, so I thought I'd send her an email.
But...
Harbinger of death!
It's not like I could contact her.
So since that wouldn't work...
You pretended to be a fictional character...
For example, you sent, "I heard from a friend about you, so decided to mail you."
Afterwards, your exchanges went surprisingly well, and she's now your pen-pal... Like that?
There's no way it went so smoothly...
Um, actually...
That's seriously what happened?
Wait a second... A fictional character?
Sakurakouji Koutarou.
A second-year high school student at Kaimei Academy.
Excellent grades, tons of friends...
A member of both the Biology Club and the Student Council, every day he's busy?
Hey...
There's fictional, and then there's unfrickinbelievable!
You big threatening oaf!
It's 100% opposite your character!
Shut up! Quiet, you!
You're obviously overcompensating!
Koutarou, my ass!
How dare you make up a pretty-ass name like that?!
So your request is that you can't handle lying any more, and you want to tell her the truth?
No, that's not it!
Okay, leave it to us!
Switch!
（・ｇ・）Psych!
Wazzup? It's Koutarou!
Oh wait, that was a lie *laugh*
I'm the harbinger of death, Te-chan! （ｍ＾∀＾ｍ）ｖ
No!
I got this reply from Misaki...
I was thinking of going to Hoshimidai on Saturday.
I'm feeling good, and I'd like to see my old town.
I'd also like to meet you, Koutarou-san.
I... I...
"What should I do?"
"With all the lies I've painted,
there's no way I can tell her that I'm Koutarou at this point,"
is what you're going to say, yes?
R-Right, so...
So?
Oh, the stand-in plan.
Me?
Sakurakouji Koutarou would look like...
That's totally off.
Koutarou's in the Biology Club, right?
Oh, then how about this?
The person himself isn't supposed to look like a biology experiment!
He's an officer of the Student Council, right?
Then, how about this?
Enough of that guy.
I don't think that guy has a lot of friends, anyway.
Then, I'll have the computer composite an image of Koutarou.
That's you, damn it!
And so, he's ended up looking like this.
Bossun's wearing a polo shirt!
And his hair's all slicked down!
I can't even tell who he is!
No, no, you're lookin' nice!
You've got a real Koutarou-y feeling to you.
Yeah, but you need to flatten down that stubborn hair of yours.
That ain't very Koutarou-like.
No, actually I think Koutarou being a little rough around the edges is very Koutarou-ish.
What the hell do you know about Koutarou?
Don't you think Switch is closer to the image than I am?
No can do. He's like this, remember?
A Koutarou that talks with a computer ain't Koutarou.
You goddamn otaku... Never any help in the clutch!
Whoa, it's almost time to meet!
Right, we'd better get set.
Here.
Got it?
We'll pick up your conversation with the mic,
and you can hear our instructions with this earpiece.
I know, I know.
If you get in trouble, send us a help sign.
Help sign?
A face signal.
What kind of face signal?
You know, the usual half-assed face you make.
Do that.
Half-assed face...?
Hmm... A one-piece dress, and a white hat...
Is that her?
Um, Misaki...-san?
Oh, how do you do?
Wait, that's a bit strange, isn't it?
Thanks for coming out here today.
Oh, no, no... Nothing, nothing...
Misaki's really pretty.
Y-Yeah... It's been 5 years since I've seen her, too.
Will Bossun be okay, I wonder?
He acts popular, but he's surprisingly on edge when confronted with a pretty girl.
Look, he's already sending the help signal!
But what does he need help with?!
Bossun, go to a café or something!
Today sure is a lucky day!
Damn it, he's not listening!
Um, your body... Are you feeling okay?
No! Koutarou doesn't talk like that!
Yes, I'm fine. Lately I've been much better.
Thank you.
I'll have tea.
Um... I... I'll...
Whatever, just order something!
Why are you giving us the help sign?
This blows.
He completely sucks at playing this sort of role.
At least he hasn't gotten into a jam yet.
Still, I'm glad.
I'm really glad that Misaki seems well.
I'll have what she's having.
It doesn't look like she's seen through it,
so as long as Bossun doesn't screw up, it'll go okay.
It's been 5 years since I set foot in this city...
So many memories.
If you have a place you'd like to go, I'll take you wherever.
A place I'd like to go?
Be careful how you talk!
Be careful how you talk.
You're on your own, bud.
Oh, look at that.
Is that my brother?
He's with a pretty girl...
He's being tricked, right?
If he's not careful, he's going to be forced to buy some wonky woodprint.
Yes...
A time capsule?
Sort of, but it's a little different.
I had a childhood friend named Te-chan.
We buried it years ago, when we went to see the sakura.
I'll put these 1000 cranes inside.
But it's only one.
I'll fold one each day.
When I've finished 1000 of them, I'll bury it again.
That's weird. Why don't you just give them to me?
Origami cranes can't fly, but even flower petals can dance on the wind.
If I bury them near the sakura tree,
I think that one day they'll become like flower petals...
You're actually quite the romantic!
Oh, be quiet!
There it is.
Okay, I'm opening it.
Right.
What is this?!
Wow... 1000 cranes. Or wait, are there 10,000?
Te-chan...
You've been folding them all this time...
It's not like I had anything else to do...
What are you doing?
I can't take them all, so at least one...
Oh? You wanted to take them back with you?
Yeah...
I came to this city today because I wanted to bring this back with me.
I'm going to America next week.
Pretty soon, I'll have an operation.
A major life-or-death operation.
Sket Dance!
Thanks a lot for today.
Um... Here, for Koutarou-san.
T-Thanks.
I knitted a summer sweater.
I think it'll fit.
When are you leaving tomorrow?
I'll come see you off.
What is she talking about, "I feel fine"?
She's gotten so bad she has to have an operation!
These damn cranes were for nothing!
Hey, stop it!
Misaki isn't running away!
She's decided to fight her disease!
She's scared, but that's what she chose!
That's something to be proud of, isn't it?
She might die!
What'll I do if she dies?!
Come on, Tetsu...
She doesn't have to gamble with her life like that...
One day, God will surely...
Why don't you see her off tomorrow?
And then tell her that you're the real Koutarou.
I can't go near her.
I hid who I was, and lied...
How could I meet her after all that?!
Stop making excuses! Who cares about that?
Misaki came here to receive your prayer!
Find the determination to fight reality!
Your problem is, you can't face her illness!
You call yourself a harbinger of death or whatever and run away.
You run away from your gravely ill friend...
No, from the girl you love!
You ask for a miracle from God with 1000 cranes,
and don't give her one word of encouragement?
Don't make me laugh!
You aren't going to try and fight with her?
I won't go.
I've...
...decided never to see her again.
Suit yourself!
Bossun, isn't that...
...Misaki's present?
What?
It's Misaki's present. A summer sweater.
It's in your size.
Misaki never called Bossun "Koutarou" once, did she?
Here, for Koutarou-san.
Misaki knew from the start.
She knew you were Koutarou, Tetsu.
Go see her off.
I gave it to Tetsu.
What're you going to do with those?
Just a little surprise.
Bossman, I found it! This is the biggest bag!
Oh, thank you!
Takemitsu Shinzou hath arrived!
I borrowed a cart, and hastened here!
What're you planning?
What should we do?
We'll do whatever you want!
Okay!
Everyone, I'll need your help!
We're gonna let fly 1000 flightless cranes!
Hoshimidai... Hoshimidai...
Te-chan...
Doors are now closing on line 1 for Kobukuro...
Doors are now closing.
Damn, it took too long to get everything ready!
Will we make it?
What about Tetsu?
Is he actually going to come see her off?
Don't worry, he'll come.
If he doesn't, he's not a man!
Right, Tetsu?
We'd better hurry, too!
Um, don't you think your seat's a little low?
Lame.
And it's right during peak season, although I can't go...
I'll take you!
Let's come back here again next year.
And the year after that...
And each one after that, forever...
I'll take you, okay?
Te-chan!
Misaki!
Te-chan!
Misaki!
Te-chan!
Misaki!
Te-chan!
You can do it!
You can do it!!
You can do it!!!
Yes, we made it!
Ready, Himeko?
Ready!
Fly!
Go!
Origami cranes can't fly, but even flower petals can dance on the wind.
Te-chan...
I got to see the sakura...
Thank you.
I'll do my best.
We did it.
Collecting them all is going to be tough.
It seems like Tetsu went to America after Misaki.
Is he just blowing off school?
And what are you so preoccupied with?
Finished!
What's that?
Well, we did cut his 1000 cranes into confetti, so...
You can fold something like that?
You sure are skilled at that sort of thing.
Well, this time it's a prayer for success in love.
I'm home...
I'm starving...
Brother.
Who exactly was this girl?
When did you...?
Even if you were forced to buy something,
you should be able to return it during the "cooling-off" period of 8 days.
That's not it!
That's quite enough. Now, talk!
No dinner for you otherwise.
It was nothing, seriously!
Magical Extortion Angel Reality Maji
Falling for her archenemy, Tailcoat Mask's trap,
Reality Maji is wrapped up in an argument between a certain mother and daughter-in-law.
But it was actually her once in a lifetime sub-prime,
I mean surprising life-or-death counterattack extortion!
Next time, episode 8:
Crapola! The Terrifying Inescapable Loan!
Will you see stars, when I bury you into the ground?
I'll watch! I'll watch!
Oh, so that's where the stick came from.
It was from an anime...
There you have it!
So, let's move to the next chapter right away!
Wow! Look at the QUALITY.
Wait, I don't see any robots.
This episode is plenty godly!
You want some Good & Plentys?
Then I'll go buy you some.
What flavor?
The real 8th episode is this!
What? You're gonna be a voice actress, Momoka?
Yeah! I was thinking of taking that audition!
Sounds great! We're rooting for you.
When it comes to anime, leave everything to me, Switch, Usui Kazuya!
Switch, you're awesome!
Did we gain an extra person?
None other.
Now, everyone, get changed.
So annoying...
Next time:
Nervous &
Genesis!
Let's go, my Genesis Club!
Uh, no!
We're the academy support group!
Sket Dance!