Page 1
Panel 1
Late one night at Mukoda’s Gym, Kosaku sits on a bench eating while talking to his two friends. In the ring, Ishida is training another young boxer.
Kosaku: Did Coach go out somewhere?
Dark-haired Boxer: He said it was something about your next match.
Panel 2
Kosaku starts eating right in front of his friends.
Kosaku: Huh, really.
Dark-haired Boxer: Uh, Hatanaka-senpai.
Shunpei: Cut it out, you know we don’t eat at the gym.
Panel 3
Coach Mukoda comes through the door and hits Kosaku for eating.
Dark-haired Boxer: Ah, Coach.
Shunpei: You’re back.
Panel 4
Mukoda grabs Kohaku and is shaking, apparently with anger.
Mukoda: Everybody just settle down.
Dark-haired Boxer: Huh?
Shunpei: Okay.
Page 2 and 3
Panel 1
Mukoda clenches his fist and sheds a tear.
Mukoda: It’s been a long time coming.
Two or three times I’ve thought the gym was done for.
But now,
Panel 3
Mukoda grabs Kosaku and everyone looks shocked.
Mukoda: Kosaku, you’ve got a title fight!
The Orient Pacific champ picked you!
Panel 4
Kosaku stares into space, dumbfounded.
Kosaku: A title fight… me…
Page 4
Panel 1
The next day at the church, Angela is equally surprised by the news.
Angela: Wha…
So if you’ll win, you’ll be the champion?
Panel 3
Kosaku stares at the ground looking very determined.
Kosaku: Yeah… but from here on,
Panel 4
Kosaku clinches his fist and looks off dramatically.
Kosaku: I’ll work my hardest because I know God will be watching.
Angela: …Yes.
Panel 5
Kosaku closes his eyes.
Kosaku: And most of all…
Page 5
Panel 1
Kosaku clutches Angela’s hand as she looks down with embarrassment.
Kosaku: Sister Angela!
You’ve always watched over me…
Angela: Um, Mr. Hatakana.
Panel 2
Mukoda rides up on his bicycle and slaps Kosaku on the back.
Mukoda: Hey!
Panel 3
Taiyaki fish cookies fall out of Kosaku’s shirt after he gets slapped on the back.
Panel 4
Mukoda looks irritated while Angela and Kosaku laugh nervously.
Mukoda: So…
Kosaku: C-Coach…
Angela: Hello, Coach.
Panel 6
Mukoda looks exhausted from having to deal with Kosaku.
Mukoda: Kosaku, don’t you get it?
This isn’t like all your other fights.
Panel 7
Kosaku nibbles on his taiyaki.
Kosaku: I know.
When I win, I’ll be the champ, right?
Page 6
Panel 1
Mukoda punches Kosaku in the head while Sister Angela watches.
Mukoda: Then you might want to consider loosing some weight!
Kosaku: But, the match isn’t for another two months though…
Panel 2
Mukoda rides off on his bicycle dragging Kosaku behind him.
Mukoda: Excuse us, Sister.
Kosaku: I hope you’ll come see me at the fight.
Angela: Please do your best.
Panel 3
Angela holds her hands over her heart.
Angela thinks: Mr. Hatanaka could be the champion…
It seems like a dream.
Panel 4
A shot of the gym at night…
Voice: Who knows why they picked Hatanaka-senpai for the match,
Panel 5
The dark haired boxer and Shunpei whisper to one another while watching Kosaku.
Dark-haired Boxer: But they did.
Shunpei: Yeah.
Page 7
Panel 1
Kosaku hits the heavy bag.
Voice: He’s got a ten win/six loss record, which is pretty fair,
Panel 2
Shunpei and the other boxer watch, somewhat mystified.
Dark-haired Boxer: And is famous for not being able to drop weight.
Shunpei: And so he’s basically in rough shape before his fights even start.
Panel 3
Mukoda watches Kosaku working out.
Mukoda: Mmm.
You look like a real paper tiger, Kosaku.
Kosaku: Feh.
Page 8
Panel 1
Kosaku looks supremely confident.
Kosaku: Forget it, there’s no need to worry.
I’ve got ten wins, all
Panel 2
Kosaku uppercuts the heavy bag while everyone watches him unenthusiastically.
Dark-haired boxer: And six sloppy losses, all from
Shunpei: That’s what he wants us to forget.
Kosaku: Absolutely victory!
Panel 3
An empty panel with Kosaku’s declaration.
Kosaku: And when I become the champ…
Panel 4
Kosaku imagines himself lovingly gazing into Sister Angela’s eyes.
Kosaku: Sister,
I want you to leave the convent and marry me.
Angela: I will!
Page 9
Panel 1
Ishida hangs his arms over the ring ropes while he talks to Mukoda.
Ishida: Coach, I overheard something before,
It’s about the champ, Ryusei Kurenai…
Mukoda: Yeah?
Panel 2
Mukoda looks surprised as Ishida talks.
Ishida: In addition to being a boxer, I hear he’s got a job on the side.
Mukoda: Another job…?
Like what?
Panel 3
Exterior shot of the church.
Voice: Sister Angela, Mother Abbess would like to speak to you.
Angela: Alright.
Panel 4
Angela looks shocked as she stands in front of Mother Abbess’s desk.
Angela: What!? My mother…!?
Mother Abbess: It seems she’s been hospitalized.
I’m giving you permission to go visit her.
Page 10
Panel 1
That night at the hospital…
Angela: Mother!
Panel 2
Angela’s mother is lying in a hospital bed; her father is standing at her mother’s side.
Father: Marie…
Angela: Father,
How is mother doing?
Panel 3
Angela’s mother has her eyes closed tightly.
Mother:
The devil’s party…
Panel 4
Angela looks worried.
Angela: Devil!?
Panel 5
Angela’s father looks at Angela.
Father: I’ve already called your aunt to help, since my blood pressure has been so high lately.
Angela: Auntie…?
Page 11
Panel 1
Auntie bursts into the room carrying flowers.
Auntie: Sis, are you alright?
I was shocked when I heard. This came right out of the blue.
Panel 2
Angela and her father turn to see Auntie enter.
Father: Mizue-san.
Angela: Auntie.
Panel 3
Auntie laughs cheerfully.
Auntie: Oh, Marie-chan, how are you?
Panel 4
Angela’s mother reaches out towards her daughter.
Mother: Marie-chan,
Please save Mizue.
Angela: Mother…
Panel 5
Angela’s mother looks weakly at her.
Mother: Mizue has been bewitched by the devil himself.
It’s a demon with the face of an angel.
Panel 6
Auntie laughs while Angela leans over her mother’s bed.
Mother: If she doesn’t repent she’ll surely go to hell.
Angela: Mother!?
Auntie: Oh ho ho ho ho ho ho!
Page 12
Panel 1
Auntie’s Mercedes driving down the street at night.
Auntie: My God, Marie-chan, your mother… she really has lead a sheltered life.
Angela: Um, Auntie…
Panel 2
In the back of the car, Auntie smokes a cigarette while she chats with Angela.
Angela: I’m not really sure what this is all about.
Auntie: Oh.
Panel 3
Auntie smiles at Angela.
Auntie: Well then, shall we go there together?
Panel 4
Angela looks nervously at Auntie.
Angela: Um…
To hell?
Auntie: Idiot.
Panel 5
The car zooms off into the night.
Auntie: To heaven!
Page 13
Panel 1 and 2
An exterior shot of Club Ring, and then an interior showing a lot of handsome young men.
Guys: Come on in!
Welcome to Club Ring!!
Panel 3
Angela stares in stunned silence.
Panel 4
Auntie looks eagerly at Angela.
Angela: Um, Auntie, this is a….
Auntie: You got it, it’s a host club.
Page 14
Panel 1
An incredibly handsome blonde haired man in a white suit enters the room.
Man: Mizue-chan.
You look beautiful tonight.
Panel 2
Auntie holds up her glass, toasting the man.
Auntie: Ryusei-chan, come over here.
Panel 3
Ryusei sits down next to Auntie and leans over to look at Angela.
Ryusei: And this is?
Auntie: My niece, Marie.
Page 15
Panel 1
The other hosts watch closely while Ryusei chats with Angela.
Ryusei: Cool costume.
What store do you work at?
Angela: Huh!?
Angela thinks: I have no idea what he’s talking about.
Auntie: Oh, she doesn’t work at an image club. (((Translation note: An image club is a brothel where prostitutes dress in costumes.)))
Panel 2
Two of the other hosts are excited.
Host: No kidding, you’re a real nun!?
Other host: That’s unusual.
Panel 3
Auntie smiles, while Angela gets mad.
Auntie: Oh no, she’s still just a novice.
She can quit anytime.
Angela: Auntie!
Panel 4
Ryusei lights Auntie’s cigarette while they chat.
Ryusei: Huh, is that so Marie-chan.
Angela: My name is Sister Angela, and no, I’m not going to quit.
Panel 5
Ryusei gazes at Angela.
Ryusei: I want to be a god too.
I could really fall for a pretty girl like you.
Panel 6
Angela is taken aback.
Angela: Ah,
What a suspicious man.
Page 16
Panel 1
The hosts cheer while Angela looks on nervously.
Host: Let’s break out the Dom Perignon!
Shouts: Dom Perignon! Open it! Awright! This is great!
Angela: I don’t understand any of this.
This is supposed to be fun?
Panel 2
Angela looks concerned and turns towards Auntie.
Angela: Auntie, let’s hurry up and go.
Panel 3
Auntie gets on her cell phone, which shocks Angela.
Auntie: Hey Mother Abbess, sorry, but we’re going to be late tonight…
Marie’s mother is knocking on death’s door…
Yes, she’s going to have to stay here tonight…
Panel 4
Auntie hangs up the phone with a big smile on her face.
Auntie: I got her permission.
Angela: But you lied…
Panel 5
Auntie cheerfully waves to Angela as she gets up.
Auntie: I’m going to go to the bathroom.
Ryusei-chan, take care of Marie.
Page 17
Panel 1
Angela looks nervous.
Angela: Um,
You know, Auntie is married.
Panel 2
Ryusei doesn’t seem phased as Angela pleads with him.
Ryusei: And?
Angela: Please, don’t try to tempt her.
Panel 3
Ryusei leans in and stares into Angela’s eyes.
Ryusei: Marie-chan.
Angela: It’s Sister Angela.
Panel 4
Ryusei looks serious and somewhat sad.
Ryusei: Well then, Sister.
Would you like to hear a story about why I became a host?
Panel 5
Angela seems interested.
Angela: Huh?
Your parents sold you?
Panel 6
Ryusei closes his eyes and scratches his head.
Ryusei: They were severely in debt…
But I was blessed with a beautiful face…
Ryusei: Oh…
Panel 7
Ryusei looks even sadder now.
Ryusei: No matter how hard they worked, they couldn’t repay it.
Angela: Were they really that far in debt?
Page 18
Panel 1 and 2
Ryusei is nonchalant while Angela is shocked.
Ryusei: 300 million yen.
Panel 3
Ryusei smiles weakly.
Ryusei: And so,
That’s why I work as hard as I can.
Panel 4
Angela looks concerned after what she has heard.
Angela thinks: Is he telling the truth…?
Angela: That’s unfortunate.
Panel 5
Angela stares at the floor.
Angela: I wish I could help.
Panel 6
Ryusei closes his eyes.
Ryusei: Don’t worry about it.
Panel 7
Ryusei still looks sad as Angela listens to him.
Ryusei: As for your aunt, she seems to like the pink champagne, but I couldn’t ask you to…
Angela: Oh.
Panel 8
Angela looks at Ryusei calmly.
Angela: Maybe a little champagne then…
Angela thinks: I’m sure it’s only about 2000 yen.
Panel 9
Ryusei gets really, really excited.
Ryusei: Really!? Sister!
Page 19
Panel 1
Ryusei throws his arms in the air as everyone cheers.
Host: Open the pink Dom Perignon!
Panel 2
Auntie returns as all the hosts applaud.
Auntie: Huh?
Shouts: Dom Perignon! Open it!
Auntie: Hang on Marie-chan.
Panel 3
Auntie looks surprised.
Auntie: You ordered pink Dom Perignon?
Angel: Um…
Panel 4
The other hosts are in awe of Ryusei.
Host: I can’t believe it, Ryusei-san.
Other host: You tricked the Sister.
Angela: Huh?
Page 20
Panel 1
Angela looks confused.
Angela thinks: Tricked…?
Angela: Um… but…
He said he had a 300 million yet debt…
Panel 2
Ryusei laughs.
Ryusei: Soooory.
I lied.
Panel 3
Angela is still shocked and confused.
Angela: But…
What do you mean you lied…
Panel 4
Auntie looks disappointed.
Auntie: Marie-chan, you are such an idiot.
Pink Dom Perignon,…
Page 21
Panel 1
Ryusei holds up his glass and winks.
Ryusei: …Costs 400,000 yen!
Panel 2
Angela is shocked.
Angela: Wha!?
Panel 3
Angela stares blankly at her aunt.
Angela: … are you lying…?
Auntie: I’m dead serious.
Page 22
Panel 2
Outside the convent.
Voice: So… you mother has made a dramatic recovery?
Angela: Yes, Mother Abbess.
Panel 3
Mother Abbess sits behind her desk while Angela looks worried.
Mother Abbess: That’s good to hear.
Angela: Thank you so much.
Panel 4
Angela says a silent prayer.
Angela thinks: Lord, please forgive me.
It was because I was lied to after all.
And…
Panel 5
Angela thinks back to her aunt and Ryusei laughing at the club.
Auntie: Marie-chan’s ignorant in the ways of the world.
Just but it on my bill, Ryusei-baby.
Ryusei: Oookay.
Panel 6
Angela kneels before an altar.
Angela thinks: I’m such a fool for being tricked like that.
It really is the devil’s party!
Page 23
Panel 1
At the gym that night.
Mukoda: What’s going on Kosaku?
You’re actually losing weight for a change.
Panel 2
Kosaku is standing on a scale while Mukoda weighs him.
Koasku: Feh.
Panel 3
Kosaku smiles confidently.
Kosaku: I’m taking this fight seriously, because I’ve got a lot riding on it.
Panel 4
Kosaku and Mukoda both grin while Ishida, Shunpei and his friend look glum as they watch them spar.
Mukoda: Great, no more half-assing it!
Even I don’t have any reason to be depressed about this one.
Ishida: After just a month and a half…
Dark-haired boxer: That’s something to be scared about in itself.
Panel 5
Kosaku happily jogs into the church.
Kosaku: Sister Angela.
Panel 6
Angela looks up.
Angela: Mr. Hatanaka…
Page 24
Panel 1
Kosaku jogs in place while Angela chats with him.
Angela: Is your weight loss going smoothly?
Kosaku: Yeah, it’s great!
Panel 2
Kosaku looks serious as he twiddles his thumbs.
Kosaku: And because of that, I’d like to talk to you about something again.
Angela: Alright.
Panel 3
Kosaku looks really happy.
Kosaku: If I win the championship,
Will you mar…
Panel 4
Kosaku stops talking as he hears a horn honking outside.
FX: Honk honk honk
Panel 5
A gorgeous white sports car pulls outside.
Kosaku: Whoa, cool Porsche.
Page 25
Panel 1
Angela is mortified to see Ryusei get out of the car. Kosaku looks pretty calm.
Ryusei: Ah, you’re here.
Marie-chaaaaan.
Kosaku thinks: He called her Marie-chan…
Does he know her?
Panel 2
Angela’s mother is agape as she speaks to Ryusei.
Angela: Um,
What are you doing at the church?
Panel 3
Ryusei puts on his lover boy expression.
Ryusei: Well,
It’s the end of the month, isn’t it?
Page 26
Panel 1
Ryusei happily presents Angela with his bill.
Ryusei: The bill for the 400,000 yen of pink Dom Perignon,
I’m here to collect.
Panel 2
Both Angela and Kosaku are stunned.
Both think: What!?
Panel 3
Kosaku snatches the bill as Angela pleads with Ryusei.
Angela: U-um… but…
But I thought my aunt was…
Kosaku: A host club!?
Panel 4
Ryusei shakes his head.
Ryusei: Mizue-chan forgot to pay me before she took off to
Angela: Th-that’s…
Panel 5
Kosaku cries as he shouts at Angela, who yells back at him.
Kosaku: Sister,
You went to a host club?
Angela: Mr. Hatanaka, lower your voice!
Page 27
Panel 1
Ryusei looks somewhat surprised when he hears Kosaku’s name.
Ryusei: Hatanaka…?
Panel 2
Ryusei approaches Kosaku.
Ryusei: Oh,
Are you really Hatanaka-kun?
Panel 3
Kosaku looks surprised.
Kosaku: Hmm?
Have we met before?
Panel 4
Ryusei glares at Kosaku.
Ryusei: … you don’t know me?
Because I certainly know you.
Panel 5 and 6
Angela looks shocked as Ryusei throws a punch at Kosaku, who catches it in his hand.
Page 28
Panel 1
Ryusei continues to stare at Kosaku.
Ryusei: I know you all too well.
You’re challenging the champion, so I’ve watch all the videos.
Panel 2
Kosaku is shocked when he realizes who he is talking to.
Kosaku: Champion…
Ryusei Kurenai!?
Panel 3
Ryusei puts his sunglasses on and turns to leave.
Ryusei: I’ll see you at Korakuen Hall.
But I think I’ll hold on to my belt.
Panel 4
Kosaku and Angela are both shocked.
Kosaku thinks: That’s the champ.
Angela thinks: That’s who Mr. Hatanaka is going to fight!?
Panel 5
Ryusei drives away.
Ryusei: Darn,
I forgot to get my money.