Sweet cake and sugared tea.
A frilly, pastel-colored dress.
And gossip about someone's love life.
Girls could hold tea parties that last for centuries with only these.
Were princes agreeable to yeast, they could blend with the chocolate and custard.
We could all share him. That would be a good prince.
Asking the butler who fulfills all requests
to make sure we're never at a lack for sweets,
firmly asking him
to make sure that we don't wake up from the dream.
But princes are really chocolate.
Once the doors of the party close, the 99% cacao, bitter,
real you is waiting.
Come on, everyone's watching Cosmos vs. Alien
Their battles are always marvelous
He commands a fleet, but he's really been an alien since before he was born
The distance between "micro" and "macro" is so important
At least when it comes to misunderstandings in space treaties
If it's this or be the second coming of Adam and Eve
Everyone's probably better off how they are now
Come on, take a closer look
Come on, be a little more eager
Come on, let's hold hands gently
Come on, put a smile on
Talk and talk, gossip up a storm
But soon it's more than just a joke
Cross the mountains, cross the valleys
Get to the planet he lives on
Come on, everyone's watching the captain, the queen, and the ace
Yes, the missile counterbarrage is ready
But the man aiming has really been an alien since before he was born
Now, the cosmos is space
It's just one wide sweep
The cosmos's sugary taste
It's just one sweet
Just a pinch of magic when you're together with her
Just a pinch of sugar and you can have her
Episode 164 "Encounters With Ignorance"
Screw this!
What was that!?
He got away...
Sister! And Stella! What's going on!?
Nothing much. Just an intruder.
He tried to infiltrate the church!
That was just a normal deliveryman...
Don't touch that, Ric! It's dangerous!
We don't know what he could have been carrying.
I'm pretty sure it's not anything you're imagining.
I wonder who it's for, though?
Toru Shirai Under the Bridge, On the Riverbank Arakawa, Arakawa Ward, Tokyo
Toru Shirai? So it's for Whitey?
Why do I have to bring it to him, anyway?
His wife sent it?
Now that I think of it, he said...
"I haven't seen my wife and daughter back home in Hokkaido in six years"
Important documents
Important documents!?
You haven't been home for six years! I can't think of you as a husband anymore!
Sign this, and let us have our freedom...
Are these the papers for a divorce!?
It really is dangerous!
I don't wanna do this! It's too stressful!
This is really hard to deliver. I feel like an executioner.
Shimazaki and Whitey? What are they doing here?
Leap from here...
And we'll be free.
I see. You feel the same way?
This is the only way forward for us...
This atmosphere...
A lovers' suicide!?
Let's go.
There's nothing to hold us back.
Yes.
You two! Stop!
Line change attachment!
Two lines cleared with your free right leg!
Extend your lower waist more!
Okay, next, the cross change!
Cross change!
Um...
What are you doing there, Ric? Move!
You're standing right in the way of line-following's finishing move, the "Great Wheel"
No, what the hell are you doing!?
Episode 165 "Master and Disciple"
That's too bad. I thought she'd clear the white line trial by 21 hands.
What do you mean, 21 hands? What are the rules even supposed to be!?
Shimazaki, what the heck are you doing here!?
I'm sorry! I didn't get around to telling you, but...
Mr. Shirai's been coaching me twice a week.
I can't remember the last time I was able to move my body like this. It's so fun!
I... I see.
If she looks that relieved, I guess it really is a good way to relax.
Anyway, Ric, I'd like to keep going while she's still warmed up.
Fine.
Well, at least she's still focused on her work.
I'm glad it's nothing more serious.
All right, next is the "Flamingo"!
Yes!
Huh?
Why are you still unsteady?
You wouldn't be if you'd done the daily exercises I told you.
To be honest, this week I've been really busy at work...
Yeah, I had her go all the way to LA alone.
I see... I get it.
So that's all following white lines means to you.
It's not like that, Coach! I'm serious!
Then why can't you stand!?
Those exercises are the kind of thing you can do even during a meeting or presentation!
I did it myself...
Just leave it to our firm, one two three four!
You'll see the results, one two three four!
Really!? If you did that in front of me, I'd walk out then and there!
Even Shimazaki can see what's wrong with you now!
Wait, you're both ignoring me!
Goddammit, listen!
Shimazaki.
You understand why I'm being this strict with you?
Because... Because I'm so slow to understand...
Wrong!
It's because you have the raw talent to be one of the best liners out there!
The talent to repaint the world's white lines!
Coach... I...
I'll do it!
Seriously, you two! Stop!
Episode 166 "Mastering White Lines"
All right. Well said.
There's half a year left before White Line Australia.
First, we need to get you used to dry earth.
International already?
No, I'll do it!
I want to go to Australia!
Hold it, Shimazaki!
Ko!? Oh, sorry, I forgot you were there.
No kidding!
Anyway, calm down!
What will happen to your projects at work!?
There are things you have to do!
That's right! I...
Why have I been observing the riverbank for over a year?
To take that girl's "precious thing", right?
This is no time to be distracted by other matters!
Great, she's back to looking like normal.
So you understand, Shimazaki?
What? Are you doubting yourself?
Can you answer a few questions for me?
Of course.
Then here's four to start.
What will my expected income be?
What are the prospects of the sport?
What's society's impression of a liner?
Is there official sanction from the government?
She touched on all the scary parts at once!
Oh, and...
What do I mean to you, Coach?
That's five, isn't it?
I knew it... Shimazaki's fallen for Whitey...
And she doesn't know he's married, either...
Okay, let me answer the fifth question first.
I want to walk by your side forever,
Wait, what are you saying!?
Will you consider it?
Um... I...
I'm going to go practice the "Flamingo" over there!
Whitey! Don't you have something more important than her to think about!?
I don't care anymore. I'm the type who doesn't care about what he already has.
He's a terrible human being!
Never mind keeping the singles championship! This time, I'm going for the doubles!
... Doubles?
Okay, now that that's decided, I'm going to work on my Flamingo too.
Guess I've got to change up the training regimen a little, too.
This son of a bitch is stringing women along without even noticing!
I can't take it!
Whitey, your wife mailed you some important documents!
Maybe this will scare some sense into him!
Oh, they're finally here?
I've been waiting for those.
Wait, you knew they were coming?
Of course! Why else would you be here now?
The guy probably wouldn't have given it to me anyway. Thanks.
I completely misunderstood him!
All this time I've thought that even though Whitey was separated from his wife,
he was trying hard to make sure she didn't turn into a chicken!
All right, where'd I put my chop?
It's just too cruel to his wife to let them split up like this!
What are you doing, Ric!? Give that back!
You can't sign off on something like this so casually!
It even has a letter with it!
You need to understand your wife's feelings!
Dear.
Are you in shape for the Australia Cup?
Lately, the earth hasn't felt that sticky.
I think you should exercise your legs and hips more than usual, but you probably know better than me.
But I know that you'll win no matter what condition you're in!
I love your lining more than anyone, so take care of yourself.
Be careful not to run out of powder, too!
Line like you've always wanted to.
Kaoru.
This is...
I can't have my entry forms for tournaments notarized myself, so I have my wife stand in for me...
Your wife's too damn understanding!
Oh, and here's something from my daughter.
Is this what high school kids are into these days?
Your daughter's supposed to be in her rebellious phase, yet she still loves you that much!?
Meanwhile, Shimazaki...
Mr. Shirai...
Attempted to break 5 minutes in the Flamingo.
Madoka's classmate. An energetic, lively girl who's good friends with Madoka.
Eri Kitamura
If he tries to make a pass, I'm gonna smack him!
After all, I can do it as long as Mami's here with us.
Episode 167 "To Know Peace"
Today, P-ko hosts a pastel-colored tea party.
And here's today's dessert!
Gelato drowned in espresso!
Please, enjoy yourselves.
A splash of sweetness amidst the bitter, cold gelato enveloped by hot coffee...
Passion amidst serenity...
It's like being in love!
Right, Nino?
Je ne peux pas parle francais.
Wow, Nino, you know French?
Comment allez?
Bonsoir? What's wrong, Last Samurai?
You look like a fish out of water.
Indeed.
You look ennuyé.
Have you been enchanted by the chocolate?
The gelato's drowning.
You've got to save it, okay?
Gelato...
I have not a duty to defend gelato!
My teacup!
A man needs naught but green tea and a candy.
Gaudy china, over sugared tea...
A tea party with such little wabisabi is execrable!
What the heck is wabisabi!?
Stop being so rude! Everyone was having fun!
Right, Mayor?
Last Samurai... That's it.
Your words echo in my heart like the sound of a shishi-odoshi!
You understand my spirit, m'lord Mayor!
All right, us boys are having our own tea ceremony!
Sorry, P-ko, but I'm leaving!
No way!
Not you, Sister. You're getting me another coffee.
Yes, madam. Stella, prepare fresh beans and a cup.
Yes, sir!
M'lord Ric? Would you like a taste of wabisabi as well?
Green tea?
Nice and Japanesey?
"ey"?
Sure, I like grilled stuff and manly mono.
I'm no shoshinsha at the tea ceremony either!
Mono... Shoshinsha...
Very well. We assemble under the cherry tree in an hour.
An open-air tea ceremony? How elegantly Japanese!
I'm looking forward to it!
Ah, you've arrived.
The tea ceremony is hospitality embodied.
Let us lose ourselves in its comfort.
I'm sure you're quite experienced, but if there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask.
Wow, his topknot seems normal now...
He seems almost reliable today!
This bowl is quite wabisabi!
Oh, Star, you understand wabisabi?
Well, just a bit...
It's like that! If you want to envision wabisabi, think of Ginkakuji!
I went there on a field trip!
Ginkakuji, huh.
I guess that's the basics.
Ginkakuji must be the most popular example.
For us it's more Kinkakuji.
Then again, I guess Ginkakuji is the new Kinkakuji.
This feels terrible!
Episode 168 "Wabisabi"
Then, shall we begin?
I'll take the seat of honor... The one furthest in.
Get a hold of yourself! If you snap now, we lose!
We need to be like a stream, flowing coolly past...
That's the path of the tea master!
You're right. We need to be better at the tea ceremony than them.
Such smooth gestures.
But I want to think I can do something, not just sit here and watch!
I know! Maybe complementing his utensils will work!
What was that bamboo whisk thing called?
That's it! The chasen! It's a chasen!
that understanding face
That's a fabulous—
Um... That's a topknot!
Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well.
You're correct. This is using Lord Nobunaga's "chasen topknot" as it's called.
But you just put a clump of hair into something you're having people drink.
Come on, one hair is normally enough to call the manager over!
M'lord Ric!
M'lord Ric, it seems you understand nothing at all.
Why won't you look at me when you talk?
I shall show you an example, then!
What's he doing? It's an example, but of what?
But...
I can't take my eyes off his flowing movements!
It's beautiful!
What is he!?
How elegant.
This is how to retort at a tea ceremony.
Seriously!?
The entire process took about 40 seconds.
Episode 169 "Wabi Awakening"
"Experienced", and you don't even know that...
Perhaps inviting you was a mistake...
It was my intent to complete your awakening to the world of wabi at this tea ceremony.
Those who do not understand the beauty of wabi should depart!
Hey, I know all about wabisabi!
So do I!
I've dug myself in deep, I can't leave now!
I see.
Then, starting again with the Mayor as the guest of honor...
If I just copy them exactly, I'll surprise them when it's my turn!
All right, grasp the bowl with both hands...
Place it in front of you...
Remove your shell...
How artful.
How elegant!
Er, that was an accident!
Oh, sorry to bother you again.
Ric!
That's it! That's exactly the timing!
That's a perfectly wabi retort!
But you're still...
No, it was fabulous.
You might be a real natural at this.
They really like me!
I see, huh.
I guess I'm just better at rock than wabisabi.
And Star, compared to you...
He's even wearing a hat while sitting at tea ceremony.
But I look cool in it!
I can't stand it.
I don't want to envy your mask for being so much more refined than my shell, but...
I'm so jealous!
But your shell is so wabi!
I dunno, I thought your mask was pretty wabi.
Perhaps you two do have some potential.
Shall I test it?
We'll do our best!
What do you think of this pebble?
I guess this chipped part feels kind of wabi.
No, isn't the moss more wabisabi?
You really do have a good eye for this!
Very well, which is the most wabi of these rocks?
The grasshopper on this rock!
No, this chuck of concrete really fulfills the sabi part of wabisabi!
Then it has to be this rock!
No way! It's this rubble!
It's this rock!
Looks like it's going pretty well.
I guess the boys didn't really fit in at my tea party.
I tried not to go too heavy on the sweets, but...
Maybe I should just give up...
Don't worry, P-ko. We'll be with you.
That's right. Just taking part in someone you like's interests is enough to make you happy.
You want to know the Mayor even better, don't you?
Y-Yeah, that's right!
Let's go.
This is the Mayor's beloved world of wabisabi...
Mayor!
No!
That stack isn't wabi at all!
My wabisabi!
How about mine, master?
It's three layers of wabi and seven layers of sabi!
Not enough! It needs four more layers of wabi!
How many times do we have to stack these up before we leave...
There's no elegance in that at all.
People who make that understanding face when they don't really get it are the worst.
You mean those who try the hardest for wabi?
In the world of tradition, it is necessary to drive out newcomers.
Episode 170 "Arakawa Open-air Classroom, First Period"
First period "Life on Venus"
Today, I'll be giving a lesson on how to breathe on Venus.
Okay!
Venus has low levels of oxygen combined with poisonous levels of carbon dioxide,
so you need to master the skill of breathing out only the carbon dioxide from your inhalation.
First period "Life on Venus"
First, go like this.
See? Give it a shot.
Sorry, I don't think I can handle it.
Like this? Huh?
You should practice not breathing in order to stop wasting our precious oxygen.
But that means...
Yes, no more breathing. No. More.
Bro! Bro, did you shrink?
It just seems like that because you got taller, Tetsuro!
Really?
Next time, 10 Bridge×2!
Either way is humiliating!
Illustration: Go Nagai
Watch again next time!