My name is Ko Ichinomiya.
Scion of the Ichinomiya Company, one of the world's foremost firms.
That is... I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
I made it into TU on my own merits, and I'm paying my own tuition and rent without relying on my parents.
I've lived my whole life according to the family tradition:
To never rely on anyone else.
"To never rely on anyone else"
Just like it says on the necktie that's been the birthright of every Ichinomiya firstborn son.
Anyway, I've lived my whole life that way.
Pride
I'm proud of it.
And I'm going to keep it that way.
No matter what.
Even now.
Ara
kawa
Under
the
Bridge
A princess in clown's lipstick kisses you awake from your nap
As you dreamers show your tickets, a VIP detective wishes you "t'athas"
There's no time right now for that, class starts in five minutes
Right now I've got to hurry, I meet you in five minutes
Venus is your neighbor, so why can't you feel the love
Jesus, I'm sure you're sitting right across from me
Pan, pan, here and there, pan, pan, not realizing
Ban, ban, that farce again, a heartbeat too late
A carefree kick for a greeting, my bare feet are always cut up
If you toss the chips in your hand at that girl, they just may be sparkling fireworks
If you don't say you like me, I can't hurry this feeling
There's no time to be shy, you'll be gone in five minutes
Venus, girls are always caught up in romantic dreams
Jesus, don't leave, hurry up and notice
The man
who
never
relies on
anyone
Episode 1 "The man who never relies on anyone"
Boys these days are so eccentric.
They set upon me like a tornado, and stole my pants.
Then they hung them up.
Nothing wrong with that! If anything, they owe me one for letting them go!
Even better, it's not like there's anyone around.
If there's no one around there's nothing wrong with walking around in my boxers.
Hey.
Isn't your butt cold?
Or maybe there was.
No, I prefer a breeze.
Fine, whatever.
Calm down. You've got to get your pants back.
If you freak out and scream, it's all-
Hey, drop those another inch and it's public indecency.
I've gotta be imagining this.
What, want me to pull 'em back up for you?
Really!?
No, I'm fine! I'll do it myself!
I'm not going to let her do me any favors!
objective
think I can make it
fulcrum
winner
danger
fulcrum
boxers are caught on something
danger
Juuuust a little bit more... C'mon...
I can reach them if I moon her!
I don't care if I get sued!
If you didn't want to see my ass, you should've looked away!
I've got it!
Here we go!
I've got it!
I can't rely on anyone! If I want to inherit the company, I've got to do it myself!
Hey, if you keep doing that-
I don't care! Leave me alone! I mustn't rely on anyone!
That's how I was raised...
From when I was one, I was taught to be able to use everything around me.
And when I was three...
Come over here, Ko.
It's time to pay daddy back for what I did for you when you were one.
Hurry up and put the pacifier in my mouth.
Or I'm gonna cry.
I'm gonna cry
Getting him to burp was a nightmare...
I see.
And as I progressed through school, I came into the mindset of a proper heir.
Ko, you dropped your eraser.
You need to learn to take care of yourself.
Sorry.
Wow, that was nostalgic.
Anyway, do you get where I'm coming from?
Yeah, you've made your point.
I'll shut up now.
Tha-
Under Construction
Be careful up there.
Now I've done it.
Dammit! The pillar's dragging me down!
I've got to move it myself!
It's impossible...
I can't do it myself.
Am I going to die?
Is this the end?
No, this can't be happening!
Anyone!
I'm dying...
Hey.
Hey, pay attention.
This is fishy!
Oh, so you are alive.
Why did you put a fish in my mouth!?
Sorry. I should apologize for before.
After all, you owe me now.
"To never rely on anyone else"
Episode 2 "Under a Star-Crossed Bridge"
I've lived these twenty-one years not relying on anyone!
So why now?
Want a bite?
This girl saved my life!?
You caught it while you were down there.
No thanks! I'm more than full now!
Oh.
Dammit. What do I do?
She saved my life, so every time I eat tasty cake it's thanks to her.
When I inherit the company and get to sit in the executive chair, it's thanks to her.
Everything that happens in my life will be thanks to her!
Having someone save your life is too stressful!
How can I ever pay you back!?
You're dripping wet, aren't you.
Hold on, lemme go get a towel from home.
Wait, you don't have to go all the way-
home?
Wait, never mind, I was using it as a carpet.
Want to lie on my floor?
No thanks.
Well, it's that or a tapa mat.
Wow, she's pretty poor.
It must be tough for a girl to live alone down here. This is...
My chance to pay her back.
It must suck living here. The location's bad, and I bet you'll end up frozen and deaf from the noise.
It's dangerous for a girl like you to live here alone, too.
Really?
Don't worry, though. I sold off some stocks yesterday, so I've got about 800 million to blow.
I could give you-I think I could set you up in a house.
Here we go. She has to be desperate for one.
I can pay her-
No thanks.
But aren't you cold out here?
Not really.
No, it's cold. Look at how cold I am, even-
Well, after all.
You're from Earth, and I'm from Venus.
What do you eat?
Whatever I fish up.
After all, I'm from Venus.
You're crazy!
What do I do? She's actually nuts enough not to want it!
Is there anything I can help you with?
Anything, just tell me!
Come on...
What are you talking about?
What do you mean? I have to thank you for saving me!
What, do people save each other on your planet just because they want something?
Come on, knock it off...
What? Your voice is all funny.
Don't say you don't need anything! If you don't, I-
My asthma!
Your asthma?
It acts up when I'm under stress. If I owe anyone anything, my asthma gets bad.
It runs in the family.
Please, let me help you! Let me think I've paid you back!
Ask for something, dammit!
Take it easy, man...
Come on, just ask for something!
Well, maybe there's one thing.
Really?
Maybe you could...
Love me.
Episode 3 "Positive Thinking"
To live without relying on anyone.
The precepts of the Ichinomiya family are absolute.
She saved my life, so It's my duty to repay her, no matter the consequences.
Repay
Maybe you could love me.
Very well.
Ko Ichinomiya is a man. He'll never go back on his word.
Even if she's a lunatic who claims she's from Venus, I owe her my life.
I'll love her! Starting tomorrow!
But let me go home and get some sleep first.
I'm frigging cold.
Really?
Then there's something you need to decide.
Er?
Are you sleeping at home or at our villa?
At home, of course.
Okay.
What? I don't get what she's up to.
What am I supposed to say now?
Oh well, I guess I'll sleep on it.
Hey.
Here's your pillow.
Sorry, but I don't have a blanket.
Maybe you can make one out of old newspapers.
How cold do you think you can get before it kills you?
You'd better not die at my place.
Wait, I've got to be imagining things. You expect me to live here?
Of course. Lovers are supposed to be together.
No, that's married couples!
Really?
Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
I guess.
But if I don't see you for a day, I'll forget about you completely.
What the hell are you, a cat!?
Anyway, I'll make sure to come back, I'm just going home for tonight-
Didn't you say it was dangerous for a girl like me to live here alone?
Oh well.
Laters.
Hold it!
I get it. If this is really love, I can't just leave you here alone.
If you're really my lover...
Fine, then let's stay at your villa! We can stay wherever you please!
Either way I'm moving in, so let's try your villa!
Fine.
This works.
My villa is right this way.
To be loved, one must love.
Why am I hesitating? She saved my life.
I'm just moving in.
Yeah, I should just think of it as moving in with her.
If I do, there's no reason to-
This is my villa.
Wonderfu-
Great view, huh?
Too bad there's not much room to sleep.
If I roll over, I'll die!
Episode 4 "Green Green"
This is no good at all!
I've got to stay focused on reality!
Realistic and positive!
I'm the scion of the Ichinomiya Company! I can't let it get me down! I can't cry!
Oh, right. If you're gonna live here, there's that .
That ?
You've gotta say hi to the mayor.
He decides who lives where on the river.
The chief?
Sure, the mayor!
Don't worry, I'm great at first impressions!
All right then. Let's go.
I can't let this get me down.
Plus, if there's other people living here, that helps me.
They have to make more sense than this nut.
So, what's he like?
Anything special about him?
His skin color.
Oh, he's a foreigner?
I guess people say so. I don't really get it.
Do you care?
Of course not! I'm special, I'm from a rich family, smart, I have a cute face and I'm stylish.
I'm one of the chosen ones. But of course I wouldn't judge someone by the color of their skin.
Oh. Okay, I understand.
As long as you know you're number one, it's fine.
That just makes him more likely to show up.
Hold on a sec.
Okay.
Um...
What are you doing?
Calling him.
Unless your mayor's a carp, I don't think-
Hey, mayor.
No way!
My heart isn't ready!
You called?
Hey mayor.
What?
This guy's moving in.
He's green!?
Episode 5 "Green Guts"
What's your problem?
You're green! You're a green greeny!
You're not a foreigner, you're not even human!
Hey, cool it.
I thought you weren't going to judge him by his looks.
It's not his looks, it's what he looks like!
Knock it off.
That's right.
No matter how you look at it, I'm a kappa.
Really? Amazing!
Believe it.
You don't see many like me in Japan these days.
It's no wonder I surprised you.
Yeah, you're the first one I've seen.
Whatever.
Hey, can you do me one favor?
Try to stay calm when you see my friends.
You'll make them feel even more lonely.
Sorry.
That's right.
No matter who you are, rejection...
Leaves you all alone.
Hey.
I can see the skin of your neck.
Episode 6 "The Truth About Green"
Skin and a zipper.
You're just wearing a suit, aren't you.
I don't like people who make fun of my body.
He's tricking you! He's not really a-
The mayor is a kappa.
It's as plain a fact as that I'm a Venusian.
Everyone here is fucking nuts!
You're a pain in the ass.
Here I wanted to keep things nice and peaceful.
What!?
But if you want a fight, here it is.
It's sumo time.
You're full of water!
Wrong! That's just how my body works.
Your top is stuck to you! Come on, this is just getting ridiculous!
What do you mean, "if you act surprised I'll feel all alone"!?
You're just wearing a kappa suit for the hell of it!
And you're just a gourd wearing a man's skin.
I don't even-
Can't prove me wrong, can you?
Of course I can! I'm not some snack food!
That's right.
No one can really know reality.
How sad.
You weren't supposed to go there with this at all!
Whatever, you suck. You just don't get it.
What do you mean, don't get it? Sit down and explain this to me!
Fine, whatever. Hold on a second.
Man, I hate having to do this.
Crap, it's stuck.
Are you okay?
What do I do?
You're not even trying to hide it!
Episode 7 "Ric Under the Bridge"
Why won't this...
Fine, whatever.
I've said hi. I need a rest now.
Not yet.
You don't have a name yet.
What, didn't I introduce myself?
I'm Ko. Ko Ichinomiya.
Not anymore.
You don't get to live here until I give you a name.
By the way, my name's Nino.
You're Nino? That's what this guy in a rubber suit calls you?
Why'd he name you-
Ni-no-san-kumi...
Nino!
Don't... Don't you resent it?
Nope.
What do I do? I'm proud of my name.
But she saved my life and she's laying down the law.
Oh well, when in Rome-!
Very well!
Give me a name.
I won't object no matter what it is!
Excellent. Looks like you're ready to live here.
That's it. Your name...
I christen you...
Recruit!
Good enough?
It's a wonderful name.
Wait! I know it's really me , but wait!
I thought you said you wouldn't object.
You're just screwing with me!
I want a second opinion! A Japanese name!
If I have to.
One more time.
It doesn't have to be too cool, but at least give me something I can call myself in public.
Your Japanese name...
On Provisional Contract.
Not bad, huh?
It fits him really well.
Okay, Contract.
Recruit is fine.
That day, on the playground
We laughed without a reason
On my journey to pick up the pieces of my love
For some reason I'm always so lonely
I've got to get going, before the sky falls
Everything's in reverse, and I'm searching for you
Even though we're never going to arrive
Standing under the bridge, borne on the waves
We'll always be looking for an answer
Episode 8 "Room for a Rest"
A blanket?
Yeah. That one's horrible.
Here, you can use this.
This'll be great!
Yesterday I was on enough of an adrenalin rush to think I'd be fine with that sheet,
but it's just a sheet!
It won't protect me from anything!
Oh.
By the way, there's something I want to ask you first.
Who are you?
Wait, if you're here...
You must be...
From the homing pigeon society?
Wrong!
You're supposed to let people finish their sentences.
You're wrong. I'm sure you're wrong.
Have you really forgotten me?
Yesterday you said you'd forget me in a day, but...
Oh, right, I remember saying that yesterday.
Great, you remem-
That's how little I mean to you!?
You must be my lover.
I can't even tell if she remembers.
Of course.
And what did you need? A blanket?
Yeah.
Too bad. I only have one.
So two counting the one from yesterday?
No, just the one.
So you lent me your only blanket last night?
I've got plenty of newspapers.
Then...
Please, stop it!
Now I owe you one!
What, are you having another fit?
It's your fault!
Really? Sorry.
No. It's my fault.
I should have realized she didn't have many blankets.
Can I look around your place?
Fine.
I wasn't understanding enough.
What's it like living under a bridge?
That's...
I'm gonna find out!
Velvet upholstery!?
Episode 9 "GO!"
It's so warm and fuzzy.
Where are you king of!?
Greece.
Really!?
A mysterious Greek illegally dumped it under the bridge.
Are you kidding me!?
Well, that's what the mayor said.
Then it must be a lie!
I've been tricked!
I was out there freezing my ass off in the wind while I could've slept on this wonderful-
But at least I'm happy.
After all, a lover's happiness is your own.
Nino...
She's completely nuts!
Yes, that's great.
I'm glad you're happy.
I'm glad I didn't leave you cold, too.
Sengoku
This is still my pillow, though?
Well, to be honest a pillow came with it too...
This one. Mayor says I can only use it once a year though.
I wonder how long we have to wait?
Did this blanket come with it too?
Well...
It goes on here.
See, like this.
A dustcover? It's just a sheet!
Anyway, you live better than I expected.
I should probably go home and get a few things, though.
Fine, whatever.
I'm going back to bed.
This is the first time in a while I've been up before noon.
When you pick out your room, show me. I want to see it.
Sure.
Later.
I'm kind of relieved.
She seems almost normal.
I think we can really understand each other.
Good night, Ni-
'night.
I walked away as fast as I could.
Looking up at the sky to not show my tears. The kappa warned me I'd blind myself.
How hot do you like it, Ric?
About normal temperature is fine.
Normal? So about touching the sun or so?
Next time, 2 Bridge.
That hot would kill me!
You're such a pansy.
Illustration: Hekiru Hikawa