It was just another summer day.
Hey there, cutie. You alone?
Maki-chan?
Hey, long time no see.
What's up? Waiting for someone?
No, Aya-chan is on a trip,
and Midori-chan is busy making her game.
Huh? Miki-chan, are those two the only friends you have?
Right, then! You can hang out with me today.
Huh?
Maki-chan! Too fast!
Say what?
Slow down!
I know, it feels good, right?
I'm going faster, hold on tight!
What?!
"Episode 7: Opening Up"
Okay, we're here.
Wait, were you that scared?
Jeez, if you told me, I would have slowed down.
I-I did tell you...
Oh, well.
Come on, over here.
Wow, so cold!
What are you waiting for? Get in here! It feels good.
Okay.
You're right, it does feel good.
Whoa, fish!
Do you think I can grab them with my hands?
Wait! Hey!
Maki-chan, you might want to slow down a bit...
Maki-chan!
Oh, I asked for that one...
Hey, who are you laughing at?
There!
There! That feels good, doesn't it?
Maki-chan?!
We don't even have a change of clothes...
Don't worry so much. This'll dry up super quick.
The wind sure does feel good!
That game we played at Hana's, that was really fun, wasn't it?
Oh, Incan Gold?
Yeah, that one.
Board games are nice.
Once you become an adult, you rarely have the chance to play with others like that.
Also, that's what got us to get close.
Oh, I remember. Wait one sec.
"Monjiro"
Here.
"Monjiro" What's this? Dice?
It's Monjiro. I bought it the other day, and left it in my bag.
"Monjiro" I haven't played it yet, but it says you can play many games with these.
Is that so?
Let me see.
"Monjiro: Improve your memory!" "A 'medicine' to liven up your brain" Let me see.
"Monjiro: Improve your memory!" "A 'medicine' to liven up your brain"
I see, looks interesting.
Right then, let's try one out.
How about this "Monjiro Showdown"?
Okay.
First we take these kana dice and take half each.
We line them up to make insults to hurl at each other.
Huh?!
Here I go!
Hey, Maki-chan...
"Nakimushi: Crybaby"
How 'bout this?
Next is...
"Nekura: Gloomy" Next is...
"Nekura: Gloomy"
Don't you have any? Get me back! Come on.
"Furyou: Delinquent"
Delinquent?! That's barely an insult!
"Furyou: Delinquent" You suck at insults, Miki-chan!
"Otokomasari: Mannish" Six characters? Not bad.
In that case, how's this?
"Komusume: Little girl" In that case, how's this?
"Yankii: Gangster"
Hah, no effect!
"Inukkoro: Puppy" There!
A dog?!
"Otenba: Tomboy"
Too weak!
"Kiyowa: Weak-willed" There!
"Kiyowa: Weak-willed"
Why is she so...
"Waru: Bad"
No damage!
"Amattare: Spoiled"
Why is she enjoying hurling insults so much?!
"Oni: Demon"
Miki-chan, you're really bad at insulting people.
Have you ever been in a shouting match before?
"Yowamushi: Weakling" Have you ever been in a shouting match before?
"Yowamushi: Weakling"
By the way, Miki-chan, how does this end?
Huh?
It doesn't say...
Oh, well. Maybe you should surrender. Just say I won.
N-No! I refuse!
Yes, of course. You're actually quite...
"Makezugirai: Sore loser" Yes, of course. You're actually quite...
"Makezugirai: Sore loser"
That's not...
Maki-chan...
"Ookini: Thank you"
"Thank you"?
What's this? Did you misspell "I'm going to kick your butt"?
No, I've been wanting to thank you properly for a while.
You might not remember, but a long time ago, you saved me.
Back when I was in grade school.
At the shrine. The stuffed bear.
So it really was you back then.
I remember you were bullied there often.
Yes.
Oh, but after you saved me, they stopped.
So annoying.
Maki-chan?
My dad was a real train wreck of a person.
He loved gambling and was always drunk.
He'd come home wasted and hit my mom or us kids.
I got hit a lot, too.
My parents got divorced, and my mom moved with us kids out to Kyoto.
But those memories will never go away.
Whenever I see an idiot pick on someone who can't fight back,
it reminds me of my garbage dad and I can't stop myself.
Maki-chan...
So it's really not something you should thank me for.
I wasn't trying to save you. I just wanted to vent.
Back then, whenever I saw someone like that, I beat them up.
And that's how I earned the name "Mad Dog Kyoko."
Maki-chan... She's so...
Maki-chan, how are you able to smile like that?
Huh?
How can I become strong like that?
"Yowamushi: Weakling"
I know that I'm a weakling.
"Yowamushi: Weakling" I feel so ashamed that I'm like this, and I want to change.
But I can't. I don't have the courage, I'm afraid of so many things,
and I'm always running from things.
I want to be strong like you!
What are you talking about? Don't bother.
"Kannin: Give me a break"
Well, um, you know.
I get carried away too easily. It's who I am.
So, like, um...
...forgive me!
You don't insult people at all because you're a compassionate person
who can understand what it feels like to have those things said to you.
You're a much better person than I am, by a lot.
Hey, Miki-chan.
You said you're always running away. Are you sure?
At least, when we played at Hana's, you didn't run from me, you faced me.
Also, compared to back then, you're smiling much more.
Yes.
I'm having a lot of fun every day.
Hey, Maki-chan. Want to try a different game?
A different game?
"Love-love Monjiro."
Love-love?
We complement each other.
No way! That's gross.
"Tsuyoi: Strong"
There.
"Tsuyoi: Strong" Strong? Is that a compliment?
Huh? Well, how about...
"Kirei: Pretty"
...this?
You know, Miki-chan, you can't just say random stuff.
It's not! When you were drying your hair, I was surprised by how pretty you were!
What are you talking about?!
She's blushing.
Maki-chan!
What?!
"Kawaii yo: You're so cute"
"Yasashii: Kind"
"Suteki yo: You're wonderful"
Stop! Stop! This is a lot harder for me!
Look, got another one!
"Kakkoii ne: You're so cool"
This girl...
She might have a hidden sadistic side...
"Tereyasan: Bashful"
There!
And that's how my summer break ended.
The next trimester began.
We started off by planning the school festival coming up in autumn.
We decided to pitch the idea of doing a board game café,
in addition to what our class was already planning, but...
Denied.
"Student council room"
Huh?! What?!
Just straight-up denied?!
Wait, are you...
...holding a grudge against us, because Midori-chan turned you down the other day?
You can think whatever you like, but no means no.
Understood. Excuse us.
What, Midori-chan?
Excuse me.
"Student council room"
Is she allowed to do that? It's abuse of power!
There's nothing we can do. Let's give up.
But is that really the whole story...?
Is something wrong, Miki?
"Project name: Board Game Café"
Board games are fun. I know, I tried.
But I can't rely on Midori any longer. I have to make the best school festival ever.
And...
I'm going to get Senpai to think highly of me!
Wassup?
I'm back, guys!
Senpai?!
Huh, it's just you here, Shibusawa?
You could have let us know if you were coming!
I'm getting the others!
"Haunted house" "Hot dog eating contest" "Cosplay contest" "Hot guy contest"
Hmm?
Seems like they put a lot of thought into this. This is going to be a fun festival.
Shibusawa is really working hard.
Hmm?
"Project name: Board Game Café"
Board game café, planned by... Midori Ono?
A first-year?
"The Saikoro Club"
This isn't fair!
Aya-chan, are you still mad?
I mean, come on!
This was the opportunity to let everyone learn about Midori-chan's dream!
It's fine. I don't need everyone to know about it.
Welcome!
This person... I saw him in the hallway earlier...
Our school uniform...
I see. These three must be the applicants.
Are you looking for a game in particular?
Huh? Oh, no, um...
It's my first time here, and I don't know anything.
This is a shop selling games of some sort, right?
Yes, this is a shop specializing in board games.
Board games! Yes, that.
Would you like to try one out?
Oh, is that a thing you can do here?
Yes, the best way to learn about board games is to try playing one.
In that case, sure! But...
That's a huge selection of games.
There are many types of board games.
If there is a certain type of game you like, I can find something for you.
Hmm, let's see...
A festival...
Something where we all can get excited and laugh together, like a festival.
A festival?
Do you have anything like that?
Understood, one moment please.
THE ISLAND by Julian Courtland-Smith.
In this game, the island of Atlantis is sinking,
and your goal is to lead your exploration party to safety.
I see. Go on.
First, you lay out these hexagonal land tiles to create the island.
On spaces where you see the dragon icon, place this Sea Serpent piece.
Each player has ten people pieces, each with a value of one to six on the bottom.
I see them!
This number is added to your score if the person escapes to safety.
The island has plains, forests, and mountain tiles, sinking in that order.
So placing your pieces on higher ground is generally safer.
So let's take turns to place pieces on the island.
Okay!
Wow! This is cool!
This is impressive!
Now I will explain how to play the game.
There are three different things you can do during your turn.
First, moving pieces and boats.
You can move your piece, a boat containing your piece,
or an empty boat by up to three spaces total.
However, a piece that fell in the ocean can only move one space.
So for the most part, you want to put your pieces on a boat to head to the beach.
Once a piece reaches the beach, it escapes to safety.
I see.
Where have I seen this person before?
When you're done moving your pieces, you then remove a land tile.
Plains tiles go first. When you run out of plains, remove forests, then mountains.
Wait, so if a piece was on that tile...
It immediately falls into the ocean.
I have a bad feeling about this...
Behind each land tile is an image with either a green or red border.
Red ones are items, and green ones are events.
Don't show others if it's an item, and keep it to yourself for later use.
You can use an item at the beginning of your future turns before moving pieces.
I remember now!
"Congratulations Entry Ceremony" I remember now!
"Congratulations Entry Ceremony"
He's the student council chairperson from our school!
Finally, after removing the land tile, roll this monster die.
You will move either a Shark, Whale, or Sea Serpent.
So if you're removing the land and adding monsters...
Yes. As the game goes on, the island gets smaller and the sea more dangerous.
Sounds like fun! Let's try it out!
But what is the chairperson doing here? Scouting the board game café?
But the café idea was denied by the vice-chair...
What's wrong, Miki-chan? Let's play.
Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Let's play.
I'll start. One, two, three. I'll put them in the boat.
I'll take this land.
Wait, Midori-chan?! That's mine!
And on the back is... Oh, an event. Shark attack.
Since a Shark appeared on this tile, this piece is dead.
What?! I lost a man at the beginning!
I told you, the plains are dangerous!
No punches pulled, even between friends?
There is no value in restraint when it comes to games.
Especially in this game, THE ISLAND, the players control the monsters, too.
If you're too gentle, it won't be a fun festival.
All right, then I'll go all in as well.
Yes, that's the right way.
Shark!
Whale!
Another Shark?
Before we know it, the sea is full of Sharks and Whales...
Looks like this party is getting hotter!
I've got my people in the boat, but the beach is defended by the Sea Serpent...
If I approach unprepared, the monster will get me before I land.
In that case, I'll take a risk and jump into the ocean!
Wait, are you sure?! If you're in the sea, you can only move one space!
It's fine!
I see. You must have drawn the Dolphin item!
Dolphin?
The Dolphin can carry a swimming person three tiles away.
However, it doesn't work if the person is on a boat.
Yep, that's right.
If I use the Dolphin in my next movement phase, I can get at least one man to safety.
Would it be that easy?
Huh?
Shark Warp.
I can move the Shark to any open ocean tile.
I'll move it next to this Sea Serpent.
What?!
You devil.
Now, rolling the die...
Shark?!
What?!
Oh, no, it really came!
Dinner time.
My six point squad leader...
You can't let your guard down just because there are no monsters nearby.
No easy mode, even for a first-time customer? I like your attitude!
I won't lose this battle, no matter what!
This is terrible...
Only the mountain tiles remain now.
One of the mountain tiles has a volcano on the other side.
The moment that one is turned over, all non-safe explorers are killed.
That's the end of the game.
I've only rescued three people so far!
Me, too... This is harder than I expected.
Another ocean dive?!
One volcano and it's over, right? Then now is the time to take a risk!
Okay, me, too! One, two, three!
Are you sure? If someone rolls a Sea Serpent, you're doomed!
I know! Now is the time to go big!
Good! I like your courage!
Only those who can take risks at times like these can get luck on their side!
Yeah! Let's survive together, brother!
Oh...
Um... this...
Volcano...
And that's the end of the game.
I'm in last place...
Me, too...
M-Midori-chan...
Was I too hard on him...?
You got me!
We laughed, yelled, and ended with some fireworks.
This truly is a festival!
Wait, so...
Did you like it?
Yeah, I had fun!
Hundred percent!
They're truly impressive, these board games.
Yes, they are, Mr. Chairperson.
Midori-chan, you noticed.
Huh? What? What's this?
Oh, you knew?
Of course. I'm a student at the same school.
Are there others like this?
Yes. There are countless other fun games to discover.
That's really wild.
This year's school festival is going to be fun!
The next day, the board game café idea denial by the vice-chair
was overturned by the chairperson, so the project was officially approved.
"Kamokita Student Council Chairperson’s seal" was overturned by the chairperson, so the project was officially approved.
You three, do your best to make this a great school festival!
Show me what you've got!
"Board Game Café" Show me what you've got!
"Board Game Café" Yes!
"Board Game Café" You can count on us!
"Board Game Café"
"Next Episode: The Fourth Friend"
Hey, guys! I went to a board game café near school.
"Next Episode: The Fourth Friend" There was a super cute girl there!