There's a world that only Rin and I don't know about.
And something happened there.
I'll be the leader, and start the Little Busters once more.
If I do all the things that Kyousuke did,
starting when we were kids...
Maybe I can get closer
to that world where something happened.
Hey, Rin...
I want you to
think back to when we were little, and Kyousuke started the Little Busters.
First, Kyousuke took you outside.
Who did you get close to? Was it Masato or Kengo?
It was Masato.
He was a bounty head.
Huh?
He was a really bad kid.
Kyousuke told me he was the one who diverted Masato from the path of evil,
which saved the town...
Before that, what kind of town was it?
A slum that feared Masato.
There was a flyer on a telephone pole that said, "Please subdue this boy."
So Kyousuke beat Masato up?
Yeah.
And then, he and the violent Masato formed a pact of friendship.
Then, Masato was the next to join...
Masato, got a minute?
I've started the Little Busters with Rin.
Like when we were kids.
We want you to join, too.
Sorry, but I refuse.
Wait...
Hey, tell me why!
Why?
Well...
Because I'm the strongest.
No way.
You're weaker than Kengo.
Shut up!
I am the strongest!
I'll probably start proving that I'm the strongest now.
Masato... What do you mean by th—
If you don't want to get hurt, stay away from me.
"Time for me to start proving that I'm the strongest."
What is Masato thinking?
What? Inohara did that?
It came out of nowhere.
We couldn't stop him!
I'll go tell a teacher!
What happened?
Inohara attacked him.
Masato?
He just hit me suddenly...
As he shouted, "I'm stronger."
He's been attacking people, one after the next!
Nurse's Office
Five victims, all male.
All they did was speak to him, and he attacked.
Fortunately, they all went down after one hit.
So they only had minor injuries.
Has he turned into a bad guy?
He couldn't have.
There must be some reason.
If you do find Inohara, don't go near him!
Just run, and report it to the faculty office at once.
It's just the way things used to be...
In that slum, where everyone was scared.
We have to stop Masato's rampage.
But how?
Think.
Use your head...
What would Kyousuke do?
I know!
How about a trap?
We'll set a trap for Masato!
Like we did back then!
Kyousuke, too?
And I helped him.
The science club, the boxing club...
I told them we were stopping Masato, and they donated all this stuff.
I just have to hang these up, right?
Rin, you're a little excited, aren't you?
See ya!
The Strongest Should Come This Way
This'll be fun...
When that idiot sees this mitt, he won't be able to resist hitting it!
Kyousuke always came up with fun, silly plans like this.
It was what we lived for...
Yeah!
Rin's eyes had regained the cheer they used to have!
Here he comes!
The Strongest Should Come This Way
So if I hit all of these, those guys will go away?
"Those guys will go away"?
We got him, Riki!
Yeah!
Too bright...
Turn off the light.
Are you okay?
You aren't hurt, are you?
You again?
What is this?
I can't get loose...
It's a special glue the science club developed.
What are you trying to do?
We wanted to stop your rampage.
My rampage?
Is that what it looks like to you guys?
Is that what I am now?
The only problem...
is this world!
I am the strongest!
Where are you?!
Hey!
This has gotten out of hand.
We need to think of a new plan...
Um, how about—
Riki!
Behind you!
He's scary as hell...
I have a plan!
This is it!
I need a favor, Rin!
Sure!
I'd do anything for you, Riki.
Masato...
I'm over here!
Sneaking around everywhere...
If you were like me, you'd fight like a man!
This way...
I have to control my fear.
Masato's whole body is bearing an enormous burden.
I have to lure him into following, then wear him down!
Wait right...
there!
Will you please give up now?
Shut up...
Shut the hell up!
You won't run away again!
I won't run.
It's already over!
Rin!
Was that the last of your tricks?
Yeah.
I'm out of ideas!
I don't feel a thing.
Yes, you do!
I told you...
I don't feel a thing!
Here I come, Masato!
Riki!
Go!
You surprised me,
Riki...
I never thought you guys would go to such lengths.
That's right...
You bounced back enough to teach Rin how to play catch,
and then come after me in the cafeteria.
I've started the Little Busters with Rin.
Like when we were kids.
We want you to join, too.
So it's finally come to this...
Sorry, but I refuse.
Wait...
Hey, tell me why!
Why?
Because I'm the strongest.
No way.
You're weaker than Kengo.
Shut up!
I am the strongest!
Sorry if I scared you.
But you know, Riki...
You can't start the Little Busters so easily.
You aren't as strong as Kyousuke yet.
You still have more to overcome.
That's why...
I'll probably start proving that I'm the strongest now.
Masato... What do you mean by th—
If you don't want to get hurt, stay away from me.
Return to how we were?
Listen, Riki...
If you do that, you'll be facing something pretty big...
Ever since those days, I've never fit in with others.
Apparently society calls people like that "stupid."
I couldn't make friends, and I was always alone.
When he got thirsty, he drank milk!
He's dancing again.
Are you stupid, Inohara?
It's funny because it's natural for him.
Then I realized...
To make them stop laughing, I just had to get stronger.
From that day on, I trained as if my life depended on it.
Eventually, I was stronger than anyone else,
and no one laughed at me anymore.
It's Inohara...
Run!
Don't go near him!
But I still didn't belong anywhere.
Who are you?
That's what I'd like to ask.
I'm going crazy.
You aren't going crazy.
This is the life you live every day.
What's wrong?
What are you arguing about?
Hey, Inohara...
What's wrong?
You're a fake!
My real self is the strong one!
What is this?
So if I hit all of these, those guys will go away?
Too bright...
Turn off the light.
Are you okay?
You aren't hurt, are you?
So I challenged myself.
Unlike all the others, this me had guts.
He was more like the real me than any of the rest.
Someone finally showed up
who could defeat me.
Just like that day...
Are you Inohara?
Are you a new challenger?
Yep!
A scrawny kid like you is no match for me.
Even if I do this?
This is fun...
I'll take you on!
Hold it!
I've never had a fight like this.
What is this?
It won't come out...
I set it up that way.
I am...
the strongest!
That was awesome.
Was that the last of your tricks?
Yeah.
I'm out of ideas.
Guess I just have to be ready to take a few punches!
More like a few hundred...
I only need one hand to pulverize you!
Why don't you fall?
I won't go down...
That must be rough.
I'll make it easier for you.
I'll never...
fall!
Why are you struggling so hard alone?
Because it's pathetic...
I got stronger... Stronger than anyone...
And no one laughs at me anymore...
But I'm still all alone.
That's why I can't fall!
If I fall...
I'll just be some stupid kid again.
Who cares if you're stupid?
I had a lot of fun fighting with you!
No one else would be stupid enough to fight while carrying a mailbox.
So you should stay as you are.
If you do, I'll always play with you.
Because that was really fun!
Inohara, what's your first name?
Masato.
I'm Natsume Kyousuke.
Masato, starting today, we're friends.
From now on, we're gonna have all kinds of fun!
So, for now, just rest...
Okay?
I finally found
what I was looking for... The place where I belonged.
He gave it to me.
It's all right, Masato.
Who cares if you aren't strong?
No matter what else, you're Masato...
My best friend!
Are we gonna have all kinds of fun from now on?
Of course.
So, for now, just rest...
Okay?
Well done, Riki.
No matter what happens, I'll stick with you.
Right to the end...
Episode 8 Proof of the Strongest
The time has come to defeat the undefeated.
Episode 9 A Friend's Tears
Next time...
A Friend's Tears.