A Girl & Her Guard Dog (お嬢と番犬くん)

"An ordinary life". It has such a nice ring to it.

And I'm going to achieve it through a normal high school life.

Welcome home, Ms. Isaku.

Welcome home.

Where's your shirt?

It's too hot.

But it's March.

I know. Sorry.

Grandpa, I'm home.

Isaku? Come in.

So? How did it go?

I got in.

That's great news!

Your parents would be proud.

Thanks.

My parents died in a traffic accident when I was five.

My grandfather was the only relative who'd take me in.

Tasuke Senagaki, 3rd generation head of the Senagaki Clan.

And my grandpa is the don.

Excuse me.

Ms. Isaku.

How did it go?

I got in.

Congratulations!

You're overreacting! Put me down!

But I'm happy for you.

You worked so hard.

I can't believe little Isaku is going to high school.

I'm overcome with emotion.

That's Keiya Uto, our No. 2.

He's been living with us for 10 years now.

But why Otowa High School? It's over an hour away.

I chose Otowa on purpose.

I want to enjoy my youth as an ordinary high school student!

Oh?

Until now, I had no friends. Everyone was scared of our family.

But that all ends now.

I'm going to school and make friends like an ordinary high school student.

And

fall in love like a normal girl!

That's right. I'm going to fall in love.

A normal, happy love.

Because there's no future in falling in love with a yakuza.

The Otowa High School Entrance Ceremony will come to a close.

All new students...

I'll have to introduce myself.

First impressions are important. I can't mess it up.

A boy?

Thank you... for...

Are you okay, Ms. Isaku?

Keiya? What the heck?

We can talk later. Homeroom is starting.

Huh?

What's going on?

I'm Keiya Uto. I look forward to spending the year with you.

Is he really a high school student?

What's happening?

Hey! What are you doing?

What's an old yakuza doing dressed up as a high school student?

Old yakuza? I'm only 26.

That's middle-aged!

I was worried about you, Ms. Isaku. The school's so far away.

Just drop me off and pick me up like usual.

No. School is a dangerous place.

What do you mean?

Guys!

- Huh? - You said you wanted to fall in love.

Men are wolves!

I have to guard your body from their poisonous fangs,

so I enrolled as well.

With the boss' permission, of course.

He gave you permission?

I'm now a high school student, body and soul.

Let's go home. The car's waiting.

Stop! In any case!

There's no way I'm going to school with you!

A dream...

Morning.

- Good morning. - Whoa! That looks delicious!

Want a bite?

Yeah.

Why the fancy food? Are we expecting visitors?

It's your lunch.

What?

Today, our high school life starts in earnest.

Promise me

you'll keep your distance.

Impossible. I'm your bodyguard.

I want to enjoy my youth!

A 26-year-old yakuza classmate is out of the question!

I'm still a 26-year-young yakuza. But don't mind me.

I will deter all males, however.

Exactly what I don't need.

Groups are already forming...

They only met yesterday.

I've forgotten how to make friends.

Why don't you talk to someone?

Wait. We're classmates. There's no need for honorifics.

I told you not to come near me at school.

"Ms. Isaku" is a bit formal.

Hey.

- Senagaki. - Listen to me!

Senagaki.

Senagaki, Senagaki.

You two seem close.

She's cute.

Oh my gosh, they talked to me like a normal person!

Oh... well...

Yeah, we're close.

We're childhood friends.

Huh?

We spent years together.

In fact, we know everything about each other.

We're closer than close.

Allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm Keiya Uto. 16 years old.

My specialty is torture.

- Did you say torture? - Huh?

Like the electric chair?

No, all I need is a pen.

- Huh? - Wanna know how...

I'd use it?

Stop!

My life is over. They'll have nothing to do with me.

First let's choose our class reps.

One girl and one boy. Any volunteers?

Class rep?

It's a good way to get to know my classmates.

I'd like to give it a try, but...

No volunteers?

But after that episode just now?

I'm not a good communicator...

Come on.

Teacher, Senagaki and I will do it.

Huh?

- Great! Thanks! - Who said I'd do it?

A big round of applause for Uto and Senagaki.

Huh?

What?

Your first job as class reps

will be selecting players for the ball-game tournament.

Everyone!

Excuse me...

Eyes forward. Let's go category by category.

What for, though?

To get to know each other.

What?

I'd like to get to know you, Satonaka.

You know my name?

Yup. I know everyone's names. That's how friendships begin.

It's nice when someone knows who you are, right?

A small but important detail.

Who are you?

Morikawa, you're tall. Let's play basketball.

You even look like Michael Jordan.

No way!

Here I go!

- Here! - Nice!

Senagaki.

Yes? Ow!

Senagaki.

Senagaki.

Senagaki.

It's just a ball-game tournament. The point is to have fun.

Yeah. We got your back.

Thank you...

That's so cool!

Ms. Isaku, dinner's ready.

Who said you could come in?

What's wrong? You feel sick?

It's hard.

I'm a bad communicator.

I suck at volleyball.

Is that all?

That isn't a revelation, is it?

Ever heard of "sugar coating"?

Why do you get to enjoy school anyway?

You volunteered me!

Ms. Isaku.

I know it's scary,

but this rose-colored youth that you dream of

is nothing but a fuzzy fantasy.

It's not fuzzy.

I couldn't do anything.

Meanwhile, the fast-talking old yakuza is totally "in" with the class.

I think you're doing just fine.

You understand your limitations

and are taking the time to reflect on them.

You're facing your fears.

Cry, worry, and try to be brave once in a while.

Your days will be brighter soon.

Remember.

I'm always on your side.

I'm so immature.

Taking for granted what I've been given,

never really trying hard at anything.

Here we go again.

- Ow! - Are you okay?

Sorry.

What the...

You hit her with the ball, you punk!