Glancing up towards the sky,
Whenever I turn my back
Against this perfect world
I mumble out
"Where should I go?"
With you, someone who shares the same thoughts I do.
In the shadows of an alley, the hands on a clock
Restart the time that stood still
The arms extended out to you
And the unfinished puzzle
Have been left behind
Until we met
And realized something was missing.
So the last piece
Must be found
In order to move forward.
I fell for a MLM scheme?
Just when I thought you merely disappeared from your room, you fell for a corrupt MLM scam and came home to find yourself in debt.
How typical of you, Satou-san.
T-This is good detergent.
It's made of one hundred percent natural ingredients, and...
Compared to products sold at retailers, it doesn't create any unnecessary suds...
Did you know that in order to clean stains, things like friction play an important role?
T-That's right! Come see the presentation once.
You'll understand how great their products are and will want to become a member!
As you gather more members, you'll earn money and be promoted to a higher rank. That's how it works, doesn't it, Satou-san?
A textbook example of multi-level marketing, right?
Multi-level marketing...
It seems even she's disgusted with you.
Thank you very much.
You might as well eat.
Huh?
That girl prepared it.
She even cleaned your room.
Sorry...
I'm not the one you should be apologizing to.
Since it's already late, return the merchandise tomorrow.
Huh?
What?
R-Returning the merchandise may not be such a...
Because returning something you've already bought is kind of embarrassing, and...
It'll be an inconvenience for the other party.
Besides, someone might buy it, you know.
Who? How could you possibly sell it to them?
E-Er...
I bet you're forgetting you're a hikikomori.
There's no way a hikikomori could go outside and sell something.
This is for your own good, so return it properly tomorrow.
But...
What now?
I don't ever want to go outside again because I'm a hikikomori.
That's right...
Y-You'll be okay!
Huh?
Satou-kun, I'm on your side!
MLM is nothing to fear, after all!
Now I'm really nervous...
Huh?
I'm going out, Onii-chan.
Hello? Morning, Satou-kun.
What's up?
Talk?
Today?
Yeah, sure.
Then I'll meet you at the shop.
Right, right.
He noticed it...
Of course... anybody would notice someone carrying a large bag like this...
Everyone knows...
I'm the big idiot who fell for a MLM.
If you have something to say, say it out loud!
I bet you're all laughing inside!
Shit, shit... Why me? Why am I the only one who has to face these kinds of hardships?
Hey... Satou-kun! Are you all right?
Have you calmed down?
Yeah.
Let's go then.
Hey... I guess I have to return the stuff, right?
Huh?
What other choice do you have?
T-That is...
Don't tell me you still think someone's conveniently going to take it, do you?
I don't, but...
Or do you think the products and your debt will disappear like smoke after a while?
It's the exact opposite! If you don't quit now, your quotas as a member will increase...
Your debt will accrue proportionately as well!
Do you understand, Satou-san?
Yeah, I understand!
Um...
It's nothing... It's just the same old story.
Satou-kun...
Welcome to Refrain!
Is that the person?
Yeah.
You're amazing, Satou-kun...
You've already recruited two members?
No, it's not that.
W-We came for a cleaning-off!
That's "cooling-off".
Welcome to Refrain!
Damn... Forget it, man!
The price of the item is too expensive?
Do you have any idea how troublesome it was to obtain it?
Go fuck yourself, asshole!
Welcome to Refrain!
Very well. I'll mail you the documents for the cancellation procedure.
Huh?
What?
Er, nothing...
I was expecting some difficulties to arise from the issue.
No way. We operate according to proper business principles.
Why would we act like people from a shady business?
But... it's unfortunate.
I definitely thought Satou-kun would have been successful.
I suppose it was too much for a hikikomori.
Satou-kun... are you eating properly?
Huh?
It's not that I'm eating properly, but...
Is it a convenience food diet?
Well, I'm a hikikomori living by myself...
As I thought.
Huh?
What do you mean by "as I thought"?
Well, in a recently published science magazine...
There was an article about hikikomoris and their diets.
Look, here it is.
See? It's written that...
The major cause of hikikomori behavior originates from their diet.
R-Really?
Satou-kun, can you read English?
O-Of course. I can at least read this much!
Hm... I see.
Eating a convenience food diet results in a deficiency of certain substances in the brain, causing you to have negative thoughts.
This eventually leads to living the life of a hikikomori.
You also look like someone who consumes a lot of convenience food!
Welcome to Refrain!
Er... yes...
I bet you get the urge to shut yourself inside.
On top of that, your relationships with others aren't going well, are they! Especially those involving your friends from school...
Y-You're right.
That is also caused by a deficiency of substances in the brain.
S-So that's what it was!
Are you Satou-kun's girlfriend?
No, we're not like that.
I see. If you're his friend, listen carefully.
Welcome!
The best way to regulate the deficiency of substances in the brain is to maintain a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
All vegetables must be free of pesticides.
For meat, you should find out whether the animal feed contained chemical fertilizers.
You must properly evaluate seasonings as well... chemical substances might be used where you may least expect it.
The use of gas-fueled cooking appliances is also discouraged.
The best method is to use charcoal, such as Binchou-tan.
However, there is a big drawback to this lifestyle.
What kind of drawback?
It requires too much money and effort.
Actually, there is a better method...
Huh?
Method?
What is it?
Please tell us!
Oh, my... Did you happen to overhear me?
Yes, yes.
Welcome to Refrain!
Oh, now I've done it... there's a rule stating that I'm not allowed to tell non-members...
Can't you make an exception?
Come on, Pres!
Please?
I beg you!
It can't be helped... I'll make an exception.
Thank you very much!
We did it, didn't we, Satou-san?
Yeah.
You can escape your hikikomori life with this.
Yeah.
Who would have ever thought such a wonderful product existed in this world?
It's an original Mouse Road dietary supplement.
It's made from one hundred percent natural ingredients, of course.
Utmost care is applied during the manufacturing process so that harmful chemicals will not be present.
By taking the suggested dosage every day, your brain becomes stimulated...
Which, in turn, will lead to positive thinking.
You'll be able to escape your hikikomori lifestyle as a result.
Are you serious?
Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to sell this to people who aren't members...
Huh?
Since Satou-kun insists on exercising the cooling-off option and withdrawing his membership...
No... that's...
Furthermore, I can't sell it in smaller amounts.
It has to be purchased as a set.
How much does the set cost?
Let's see...
About this much.
Expensive!
If you want to continue your membership, I can sell it for twenty percent off.
Welcome to Refrain!
Twenty percent off?
If Satou-san isn't going to buy it, I will!
I just have to become a member, right?
Wait a second... The cooling-off period has yet to take effect, and I never said I wasn't going to buy it!
It's just that there's too much for me to use by myself.
All you have to do is sell the surplus to your acquaintances.
On the condition that person becomes a member, of course.
I-I see.
Then I'll buy it from Satou-san!
M-Me, too!
If you succeed in recruiting new members, you'll receive commission, Satou-kun.
If all goes well, not only will you be able to escape from your hikikomori lifestyle, you'll also be able to receive considerable revenue.
Yes, it's virtually a Japanese dream come true!
I understand, Pres!
I'll achieve my big dream with this!
It'd be great if you could achieve your dreams...
Yeah.
Oh...
Misaki-chan... that's...
Yeah. I brought it with me, just in case a problem developed during the termination of the multi-level marketing agreement.
What does it say!
Um...
Points to be aware of during the cleaning... cooling-off procedure.
Upon requesting to exercise the cooling-off option, the other party will initially respond in a receptive manner a majority of the time.
However, there are cases where they cunningly lure you into purchasing a different product, diverting the cooling-off issue.
Therefore, be careful.
To actually be deceived into buying something else despite the planned cooling-off scenario...
There sure are idiots in this world!
That's us!
I guess we have no choice but to file for another cooling-off option.
But if we dive in head-first again, it might end up like last time.
I know that! All we have to do is address our concerns at our pace and not fall into her plans.
But how?
Um...
A lot of things are written in here, so why don't you use it as a reference?
Excuse me, can you please fill this questionnaire out?
Excuse me...
Hello, this is Kurokawa.
Um, I'm Satou... We met yesterday...
Uh, right...
What is it?
K-Kobayashi-san's address?
That much I know, but...
Yes... Yes...
Thank you very much.
Who was that?
The person who conducted the product presentation along with the Pres.
As soon as I mentioned my intent to exercise the cooling-off option, he gladly gave me her address.
I see.
After all, he looked like he was the same rank as the Pres.
I assume he wants to bring his rival down.
Excuse me, can you please fill this questionnaire out?
It should be around here somewhere.
Oh, isn't that it?
Oh, it's a terraced house.
Hm... So this is what they call a terraced house, huh?
You're knowledgeable about the weirdest things.
Yeah, they're involved in my uncle's line of work.
Whoa!
Satou-san!
Pres!
An old classmate of yours comes to visit, and this is the reception I get?
Why did you come here? I'm going to call the police!
That's my line!
Deceiving me not only once, but twice!
Deceiving you? Do you have any proof?
If you're accusing me of wrongdoing, I'll sue you for defamation of character!
We only came here to exercise our cooling-off option.
This is your home, isn't it?
There's no reason the documents for termination aren't here.
All right... There's a family restaurant nearby, so wait for me there.
I'll bring you the documents later.
We won't fall for that trick again.
You're stalling for time in order to think of a plan to deceive us, aren't you?
I-I don't have any such intention...
As soon as I sign the papers, I'll leave this here and go back immediately.
It shouldn't inconvenience you if we come inside for a brief period of time.
Excuse us for intruding.
Huh?
Mouse Road products...
All of these?
If you want to laugh, go ahead.
Unlike you people, I'm at a point where I can't turn back.
I must sell these products no matter what methods I'm forced to employ...
Otherwise, I have no future.
Pres...
Sign this and leave at once.
You and I never have gotten along, naturally... ever since high school.
Huh?
Geez, at a time like this...
What the hell is that sound?
It's nothing to be concerned about. My pet's just getting restless.
Once I give him some food, he'll quiet down.
Pet?
It's as if she's keeping a tiger or a lion.
Mind your own business! I'm working at Mouse Road to earn money for my pet's food. Isn't that enough?
Is it bugging you?
Huh?
Actually, it is.
Megumi!
What the hell are you doing?
Megumi!
Huh?
That character...
Torotoro?
I hope you can successfully RMT, SA10-kun.
That is... if you're capable of doing so.
Could this... person be... Torotoro-san?
Megumi!
What do you mean by "get rich quick"?
Perhaps someone might be successful.
Am I going to die like this?
Next episode, Welcome to the Bluebird!