RE-MAIN

What? Where am I?

Looks like I'm underwater.

What's that? A ball?

I'm so confused. Why am I here?

Whoa. Wait! What's going on?

So, I raised my hand, 'cause I had a really good idea,

and then you know what my teacher said?

She goes, "I don't think Asumi will know this one,

but let's hear what she has to say anyway."

Isn't that, like, the meanest thing?

I couldn't believe she just said that!

Well, turns out she was right; I really didn't know the answer.

Oh, right! I was s'posed to go shopping!

Mom says that onion sprouts are cheap today.

Okay. I'll see you tomorrow!

Doctor! He's awake! My brother's awake!

Nursing staff, please report to room 24.

I was finally up.

Nursing staff, please report to room 24.

Awake for the first time in 203 days.

Okay. So here's what I've been told.

I played water polo for three years in middle school.

I can't really remember any of it,

but apparently, back then, I was an incredible player!

Our team went on to win a national tournament

during the winter of my third year, called the Momotaro Cup.

There were even some high-school teams playing there,

so it was a pretty huge deal for us to win.

My mother and sister came to cheer me on at the big game,

but afterwards, when we were heading back home,

we got into a car crash.

Turns out the accident was so awful, it put me in a coma.

It's hard to believe it now,

but I was unconscious for six months and three weeks.

And when I finally woke up,

I'd completely lost three years of my memories.

It'll take some time, of course...

I can't remember a single thing

that happened in middle school.

It's a total blank.

Yeah!

So, in a way, it's like I'm back in sixth grade,

which is a pretty weird feeling.

My mom and dad both look older than I remember,

and Asumi's gotten so big! She's in junior high now,

so it feels like she's older than me!

So?

Hm?

Are you starting to remember anything yet?

Uh, no. Not yet.

Hmm.

Well, there's no hurry.

The doc told us what the best medicine for memory loss is.

Patience!

That's right.

I don't mind not remembering things.

Huh?

I'm just happy to be alive.

Besides, it's not like I can't make new memories, right?

Excuse us!

Oh! They're here!

Come on in!

Hm? Hm?

Uhh...

-- Minato! -- You're okay!

Uh, all right.

Oh, right! Don't wanna hurt you.

Sorry... Excited.

No. It's not that.

I'm sorry, but... who are you?

They're your friends! You know, from the water polo team?

Oh.

Hey.

-- -- Thank you.

That's very kind of you.

This is Mr. Bizen, your team's coach.

Uh, hi.

It's been a while.

Hang on! I can't just accept this! You don't know who we are?

After all we've been through?

Momo. Calm down.

We were Shogaku's Elite Four, remember?

We all won nationals together!

There's no way you forgot about that! Right?

I'm sorry.

I thought it'd look a lot different

but not much has changed here.

Of course not.

You lost three years of memories, not 20.

I guess.

I've changed more than anything.

I'm 20 centimeters taller,

and my face looks so much older now.

Kinda surreal.

After four solid months of rehab,

my doctors finally decided I was in good enough shape

to leave the hospital, and go back home with my family.

We live at my dad's store, "Memory Shop Kiyomizu,"

a name which is kind of awkward now.

But we called it that because it's a souvenir shop,

located in Kurashiki Bikan.

We mainly sell trinkets and knick knacks.

But also, jeans!

Home sweet home.

Just like the rest of the town,

this place really hasn't changed much.

Wait! Kamekichi?

Yeah, so?

"Yeah, so"?!

When I last saw him, he was just an itty-bitty shell baby!

He grew up and got a job. He's the shop mascot now.

You are, buddy?

Oh, that's my good working boy.

Hold on.

No! It can't be.

Did it sell?

Did someone pay for that thing with money?

Whoa, nope! No, they did not!

This is a quote unquote "piece of art"

I made back in fourth grade.

I've been hoping someone would buy it ever since, but...

Of course no one bought it.

No one can even stand to look at that thing.

The world's not ready for it.

So many great artists like me go underappreciated in their time.

Looks like you're just as dumb as ever.

Hey!

Uh!

I hoped you would be.

There they are.

Look at you two. I really missed my little comedy duo.

We're not a duo, Mom; that's lame!

I'm sorry, Minato.

Oh. No. It was just a little bit lame.

No, I mean I'm sorry about the accident.

If I hadn't--

Oh, that's why you're sorry?

Mom! Don't do that! Everything's great!

We're back at home in the Kiyomizu house again, after all.

And our house is...

...our happy place!

Exactly. Things'll be back to normal in no time!

Mm! You're right.

When I saw how forced my mom's smile was,

I knew I had to do something big to cheer her up.

Hey, know what?

I think I wanna go back to playing water polo again.

Maybe that'll help us get some normal back in our lives.

Trust me; I'll be champion again before you know it!

Maybe I spoke too soon.

It looks like someone doctored my face

onto someone else's body.

And what's up with those weird hats?

So many water polo books.

Let's see what this one's about.

"Remain. One type of rule violation in water polo.

Refers to receiving the ball within two meters

of the opponent's goal.

To 'remain offside' is the act of remaining near

the opponent's goal."

What language is this?!

Oh, man. Look how muscular I was.

Well, RIP to being ripped! Unreal!

You sleep for six months

and your muscles deflate like balloons?

I can't play like this! I'll just go up to Mom and I'll say,

"I think I've outgrown water polo!"

If I tell her now, it'll hurt less, right?

I'm looking for a birthday present for my dad.

Do you have any suggestions?

What're some of his interests?

Sure, we can order that for you. No problem.

What to do? This sucks.

I never should have told her I'd play again.

Hm?

Oh.

"New stars are rising in the water polo scene.

These three freshmen starters

at the prestigious Shogakukan High School

won Interhighs in their first year."

We were "Shogaku's Elite Four," do you remember that?

It's no use. Who am I kidding,

thinking I could catch up to guys like this?

Ah.

What a babe!

Her name's Chinu?

Huh?

I was just browsing!

Can I help you?

Of course you can help me, Minato!

I've been looking everywhere for you

since Asumi said you were back!

Um, sorry, do I know you from somewhere?

What?! It's me, Eitaro!

You don't remember your pal, Eitaro Oka?

Uh, no.

What about the time you complimented my specs?

You were all, "Rockin' glasses, Eitaro!"

Still nothing.

I accidentally said "taxi crab"