There's gotta be something fun going on.
I'm bored. Really bored.
If I could sell my boredom, I'm confident I could make a living.
Come on, say something!
This dude's seriously crying.
Disgusting. How about we throw
him into the river and wash him off?
Might as well throw him in naked!
Tie his hands and feet up.
Look at him, he's really scared!
This is really pathetic. I can't believe it.
Come on, get naked and jump in that river.
I still think we should tie his hands up.
He won't die if he's got his legs.
S-Save me... Save me...
Let me in on the fun, too!
Have some more! I'm gonna keep throwing!
It's Sakamaki Izayoi!
Run for it!
S-Save me!
Pathetic!
You guys all bark and no bite?
That was boring.
To Sakamaki Izayoi
To Kudou Asuka
Excuse me, Miss.
I've brought you a cold drin—
Hey, did someone come in here while I was gone?
No.
Really?
Tell the truth.
You're the only one with a key to this room,
so no one else would be able to enter.
I suppose.
That's enough.
You may leave.
Excuse me.
This is like a game of Clue,
except instead of a killer, I get a letter. How fun.
This came from the sky?
To Kasukabe You
This letter is for those of you
with many troubles and extraordinary powers.
If you wish to see how far
that power of yours will take you,
cast aside your family,
your friends,
your possessions,
and come to our
"Little Garden."
Episode 1
Problem Children are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?
I can't believe this.
They tossed us up into the sky without any warning.
If they'd screwed up,
we'd have crashed into the ground and died instantly.
Yeah, seriously.
It could have been game over.
So who are you guys, anyway?
I'd like to ask the same,
Mr. High School Student with the Mean-Looking Eyes.
Just to get it out there...
You guys got that weird letter, too?
Yes, but you shouldn't address me as "guys."
My name is Kudou Asuka.
Remember that from now on.
And who might you be, girl holding the cat?
Kasukabe You. I'm the same.
I see. Nice to meet you, Kasukabe-san.
And you, the dangerous, unrefined-looking guy, would be?
I have to thank you for that
wonderfully antagonistic introduction of yours.
As you can see, I'm dangerous, unrefined,
and the name's Sakamaki Izayoi.
I'm also crude, vicious, and hedonistic.
I'm the worst type of person there is,
so I recommend reading all the warning labels before
taking that attitude when dealing with me, little Miss.
I'll think about it if you write down all those
warning labels in a manual.
Seriously?
I'll write something up a bit later, so you better be ready.
Man, all of these people look like
they've got some strong personalities.
But that's exactly why they're...
Okay, so fine, they brought us here,
but why aren't they here to greet us?
You've got a point.
Well, this looks like a good time.
Oh well, how about we ask that person hiding over there?
Oh, you noticed, as well?
Of course. I never lose at hide and seek.
You noticed, too, right?
From downwind, I know they're there, even if I don't want to.
You're pretty interesting.
I missed my chance to go out there...
Hey, you know we know you're there, right?
Just come out already.
G-Guess I have no choice.
Y-You know, when you act so scary...
If you're not going to come out on your own, then fine.
What's that about?
Cosplay?
N-No, Black Rabbit doesn't cosplay...
Birds, stop her from moving around.
W-Wait a second!
Ow...
Who is this?
A bunny person?
P-Please calm down, the three of you.
W-Wait a second!
What's the idea of trying
to pull off Black Rabbit's wonderful ears
the first time meeting her?
It sates my curiosity.
Still, you can't just do as you please!
So these bunny ears are real, then?
Let me feel.
W-Wait! Black Rabbit's ears are...
I... I can't believe this.
This must be what they call a lack of discipline in the classroom.
Just hurry up and talk.
Right.
Welcome, everyone, to the world of Little Garden!
Little Garden?
Yes!
We are willing to give the three of you
the chance to participate in the Gift Games.
That's why we called you here.
The Gift Games?
You might have realized already,
but the three of you are not normal humans.
The special powers that the three of you have
are gifts given to you by
various war gods, demons, spirits, and stars.
In other words, blessings.
The Gift Games are competitive games
that make use of those blessings, even betting with them.
This Little Garden has various stages created for that purpose.
Must you bet with your own power?
Not necessarily.
There are various chips in the game.
Gifts, money, land, resources, prestige, and people.
The higher value the chips you place,
the greater the rewards you can win.
However, in order to receive a reward,
you must clear the conditions the host sets,
and win the game.
Right here.
Go ahead.
What's a host?
That would be the people who preside
over the Gift Games and administer them.
Can anyone become one?
As long as you can prepare a prize.
That's why you have war gods
and shopping district merchants.
The games range from being treacherous, difficult, and life-threatening,
to simple lotteries.
There are all different types!
However, I imagine there's much you won't be able to pick up
just by hearing my explanation.
So how about we play a simple game right now?
What?
There are communities of sorts in this world.
Communities, collectives, societies.
Residents of this world must be part of a given community.
Rather, you could say that
it would be difficult for them to live if they aren't.
I wouldn't mind letting you join the
community that Black Rabbit is part of,
but having people around who couldn't
win Gift Games would be a problem.
Indeed, quite a serious problem.
You'd be in the way, nothing but trouble.
You'd slow everyone down.
Are you trying to test us?
Wait a second, we haven't even said anything.
If you're not up to it, you can always refuse.
What am I saying?
If they get pissed now and head back home,
Black Rabbit's in a lot of trouble.
That's quite an interesting way to provoke someone.
I'm glad you liked it.
What are the rules of the game?
We'll use these cards.
Please pick face cards from the
fifty-two cards you see here,
but you only get once chance,
and each person can only pick one card.
Can we use any method we want to do so?
As long as it doesn't conflict with the rules.
By the way, I, Black Rabbit, have the ability of Judge Master.
You can't break the rules when I'm around.
The rabbit's eyes and ears are
connected to the Little Garden's central network.
What about the chips? Are we betting with gifts?
All of you have just come to the Little Garden,
so we'll play without chips this time.
If you insist, you can put your pride on the line?
What if we win?
Let's see...
In that case, then Black Rabbit, a servant of a god,
will do any one thing you ask of me.
Oh? Anything, you say?
Uh... But nothing sexual!
I was just kidding.
Anyway, what do you wanna do?
That goes without saying.
Yeah, let's do it.
Yeah.
Game established!
What's that?
A Geass Roll.
A contract of sorts pertaining to the game.
The rules of the game,
Gift Game Name: Scouting
Player List Sakamaki Izayoi Kudou Asuka Kasukabe You
as well as the ways to win, are written there.
Winning Conditions: Select a face card from the cards laid out.
To Win: Each player may select one card only.
Defeat Conditions: Surrender or the players fail to meet the above victory conditions.
Pledge: We will respect the rules above, and with reverence we pledge to engage in this Gift Game under the instruction of our Host Master.
"Thousand Eyes"
Okay, got it.
But beforehand, let us take a look at those cards.
Okay, I don't mind.
Okay, we're starting the game!
Who's going first?
Okay, I'll go first, then.
Thanks for your wonderfully intimidating speech earlier.
N-No problem.
I'll take this one!
Wa—
Then I'll take this one.
I'll take this one.
W-Wait just a second!
That wasn't...
We're not breaking any rules.
We chose face cards from the cards on the table.
One card per person.
Am I wrong?
That's right, but...
The Little Garden's central net
has determined that your method was valid.
Asuka-san and You-san have cleared the victory conditions.
We did it.
B-But Izayoi-san, you haven't won yet!
Hey, just who do you think I am?
H-How did you...
I remembered them.
I remembered the position of every single card.
The card next to this one is the nine of diamonds.
This is the two of clubs. The jack of spades.
You're pretty good,
but thanks to that, the methods we thought up were wasted.
Sorry about that.
Hey, Black Rabbit.
Y-Yes?
How about I get you to do something right off the bat?
I-I said nothing sexual!
That sounds fun in its own right,
but there's only one thing I want to ask of you.
Wh-What is it?
Is this world fun?
Yes!
The gift games are
heavenly and demonic games in which only
those who have surpassed normal humans can participate.
Black Rabbit guarantees that the Little Garden
is far more interesting than the lower world!
Jin-kun!
Riri,
you guys, thanks.
Is Black Rabbit-oneechan still not back?
Yeah.
I know you're going through a lot as leader, but keep it up.
Master Jin, I've brought new friends!
Welcome back, Black Rabbit.
Are those two women the ones?
Yes, the three here are—
Huh? Where's the third?
Izayoi-kun said he was going to see
the edge of the world real quick and took off.
Why didn't you stop him?!
He told us not to stop him.
Why didn't you tell Black Rabbit?!
He told us, "Don't tell Black Rabbit."
You're lying. You've gotta be lying.
You two just didn't want to bother with it, did you?
Yeah.
B-Black Rabbit, the edge of the world is...
I know.
Master Jin, please lead them the rest of the way.
Black Rabbit will capture the "problem child"!
You've insulted me, praised as "Aristocrat of the Little Garden."
I'll make you regret this to the core of your soul!
Little Garden rabbits can hop around pretty fast.
The rabbits are the servants of the founder of the Little Garden.
Anyway, come this way.
I'll show you into the Little Garden.
This is...
The Little Garden...
It looked like we were entering a covered area,
but I can see the sun.
The coverings over the Little Garden are invisible from the inside.
The coverings were set up for races
that cannot be directly exposed to the sun.
So are you saying there are vampires living here or something?
Hm? There are.
I see...
There are a variety of races living here.
Gods, demons, spirits, animal-human hybrids, humans.
There are a lot of agricultural areas here in the East Side,
so everyone's quite peaceful here.
I'm sure you're still itching to move around, since you've just arrived.
How about we go over the details while having a bite?
Come on... How far did he go?
Certain gods use this area as their game territory.
If he gets tricked by them and
ends up playing in one of their games...
He couldn't have...
Oh, are you Black Rabbit?
What happened to your hair color?
How far do you think you've come?!
To the edge of the world, I think.
Well, don't get so angry.
I was scared that you might have challenged
a god to a Gift Game!
Anyway, since you're fine, let's head back.
I did challenge one.
Huh?
A god to a Gift Game.
What?
No... The trial isn't over yet, kid!
A water god!
How did you make him so mad?!
He told me arrogantly to pick a game,
so I told him to see if he could give me a run for my money.
Izayoi-san...
Don't be so conceited, human.
Do you think you can defeat me so easily?
Izayoi-san! Get back!
What are you going on about?
You're the one who needs to get back, Black Rabbit.
I picked this fight, and he wants to finish it.
You know, you've got guts.
If you can take this blow, I'll give you the win.
You've got to be kidding.
A fight isn't won once a victor is decided,
it's won when someone loses.
That's the last dumb thing that'll ever come out of your mouth!
Izayoi-san!
Little too soon for that!
No way!
That can't be!
You know, you were pretty good.
A human beat a god?
That can't be...
I'm sure getting wet a lot today.
No, that's why he's... If I have his power...
I'll get two black teas and one green.
Also...
Okay, that'll be three teas and some cat food.
You can understand what Calico Cat says?
Of course I can. I'm of the cat persuasion.
Hey there, girl, you've got some cute ears and a nice bent tail.
I'll be back to play-bite a bit next chance I get.
You're a smooth talker.
The Little Garden is amazing.
There's someone else here who
understands Calico Cat's words other than me.
W-Wait, can you talk with cats?
Yeah.
Sparrows, bush warblers, cuckoos...
I've talked to penguins in the aquarium, as well.
I've made friends with dolphins, too.
That's quite a useful gift.
Indeed,
you've got quite a wonderful ability, Kasukabe-san.
I'm jealous.
But, Kudou-san, you...
You can call me Asuka.
Nice to be here with you, Kasukabe-san.
But you have the same power, Asuka.
Huh?
You were talking to the birds in the forest.
Oh, that? That was different.
My power is...
Well, if it isn't the weakest community on the East Side,
the leader of the no-names, Jin-kun.
Galdo...
Who might you be?
Hi there, ladies.
I'm the leader of the Fores Garo community, Galdo Gasper.
A pleasure meeting you.
Look at this!
We were able to get such a large Water Tree sapling!
Now that we have this, we won't have
to buy water from the other communities!
This really helped everyone out!
Really?
Mind if I ask you something since you're so happy?
Go ahead!
Black Rabbit, you've been hiding something deal-breaking
this whole time, haven't you?
Answer me.
Why did you need to call us here?
What is a Little Garden aristocrat?
The rabbits who hold the great power of being able to judge.
What happens if you break the rules in front of them?
They explode...
Next Time:
Seems Like a Crazy Loli Clad in Japanese Clothing?
You explode?
In a great flash!
Art by Itou Noizi