Kuromukuro (クロムクロ)

Frankly speaking,

this is impossible for Yukina with her current grades.

You know, "impossible" is a word you can only use after you've explored all possibilities.

And... have you?

She'll have to raise

her standardized score by at least thirty points.

Roughly put,

that means passing 500,000 people in the next 18 months.

Do you really think that's possible?

The young lady says she wants to go.

Are you trying to nip her ambitions in the bud?

It's not even a bud at this stage.

Just a pipe dream buried far underground.

Aren't teachers supposed to encourage their students to chase their dreams?

No. We make our pupils face reality and guide them to goals within their reach.

That's our job as educators.

Facing up to adversity is what makes kids grow stronger!

Sure, but I wouldn't call this adversity.

Stupidity is more fitting.

Her current grades reflect her lack of ability and effort.

Please don't project yourself upon your daughter, Mrs. Shirahane.

No two people are the same.

I guess I'll leave you to do your damn job, then.

Mom!

Sorry about that, sir.

Shirahane...

"Mars" is not a career, you know.

Right.

It's more of a destination, isn't it?

That's not the point.

Besides, at this stage, the Mars emigration project is highly unlikely to come to fruition.

Is that yours?

Yoohoo!

Did you see where my mom went, Mika?

Upstairs?

What's up?

She left her phone behind.

Whoa, a UN phone? Super cool.

Mom, you forgot this!

Mom!

Yukina... Martians don't actually exist, okay?

Jeez...

Talk about awesome.

Your mom's super cool, Yukina.

She's the exact opposite of what you'd want from a mom.

Hey, mine's just a regular old lady.

But yours is the chief of a UN research facility.

So, how'd career counseling go?

What'd you put down?

Mars.

What?

That hotter?

Nah, colder.

But get a load of this.

My mom wasn't against it.

Take your life more seriously, girl.

Why Mars, anyway?

I wanted to go see the Martian canals.

Wait, those really exist?

They don't?

I think scientists proved that they don't.

I refuse to believe their lies.

I bet they're just hiding them from us.

You sure do love your conspiracy theories.

It'd be nice to see the river terraces on Mars, too.

What are you even talking about?

And isn't that your mom's phone?

Shoot, I forgot.

I can't believe she left something so valuable behind.

Like daughter, like mother, I guess.

But now that she has, you gotta take it to her, right?

No way! I don't wanna go!

Quit your whining and follow me!

Let's go!

Step on it!

Yoohoo, Sophie!

Were you here for career counseling too?

Greetings.

And no, I have no need for counseling.

Ah, right. You're too young for that.

No, it's because my mind's already made up.

I'm going to devote my life to what I'm already doing.

How about you, Yukina?

I, uh...

Said she put down "Mars."

Mars as in the planet Mars?

Yeah. Where the Martians live.

I suggest you keep your silliness to a minimum.

Sorry I'm stupid...

Headed to work, Sophie?

Yes.

On that note, I bid you farewell.

Toodles!

That girl sure is something.

Skipping grades and all.

And she works at a UN facility?

She's in a whole different league than us.

Oh, right. I can just get her to take this to my mom.

Take this with you, Sophie!

Milady.

Your friend seems to be chasing after us.

Pay her no heed. Keep going.

As you wish.

Wait, we're getting on!

The rise in water level has changed the river's course!

You're always looking at that. Don't you ever get bored of it?

Not really, no.

Good for you.

Hey, wait up!

The dam!

It always looks so amazing!

Control yourself.

You can stare at it all you want on the way back.

Whoa! Talk about huge!

Your mom developed those, right?

Apparently.

Why didn't you wanna come here?

I don't like the place...

Or that stuff.

Oh, you get treated like royalty 'cause of your mom.

The way the people here look at me really puts me on edge.

Say, what'd you put down for your career plans?

Finding work or something.

Where?

Beats me.

Any place willing to hire a moron with no talents, guts, or brains is fine by me.

It'll be hard with your current grades, won't it?

All my relatives say I must be a late bloomer,

so whoever gives me a chance is bound to hit the jackpot.

Yeah, yeah.

Looking at you always makes me want to work harder.

Why do I get the feeling you're making fun of me?

Just your imagination.

Anyway, I'm gonna go give my old man a surprise.

He works at the mess, right?

Yeah. He's a cook.

And he's probably free around now.

Meet up at four?

Sure thing. See you later.

Toodles!

Sheesh.

Why didn't you just give it back to me at school?

You're always like this.

Never listen to a word others say.

Here.

Thanks.

Anyway, you'd better put in the effort if you want to go to Mars.

I'm not so sure it's a dream that can be fulfilled with effort alone.

Don't worry, nothing is impossible for you. You're my daughter.

Cut it out.

Oh, right.

If you're going to go, do it after Koharu grows up.

How about you spend some time raising your own child?

Hey, I raised you just fine.

No, you didn't. Uncle did.

Ah, teenagers. Always blind to their parents' love.

Well, do your best and show your teacher who's boss.

Look at her, acting like a parent when she feels like it.

How am I supposed to kill time until four?

It's not an ICBM, is it?

Different size.

Possibly a meteorite.

Orbital inclination is at 98 degrees.

Airspeed at two kilometers per second.

Just two?

That's pretty slow for a meteorite.

Object 1 making entry.

Here's the estimated point of impact.