GROW UP SHOW -Sunflower Circus- (グロウアップショウ ～ひまわりのサーカス団～)

ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO, DURING THE TOYOKAWA TOUR

I'm calling you to inquire about our performance venue.

Yes. No, it's just that I wasn't informed that our venue would be taken over.

What's going on here, exactly?

Right.

I see. It's true that that could be the case.

We'll take action quickly so we can meet your expectations.

May I ask what your thoughts are on the conditions we proposed?

Right. Thank you very much.

Okay.

Okay.

Ugh, I wanna eat something other than potatoes.

Potatoes for breakfast, lunch, and snack.

Give these to Francois later, okay?

Sure.

Compared to us, they sure seem to be doing well.

Who?

Look here.

"Can Sumeragi surpass the legendary Lotus Circus?"

CAN SUMERAGI SURPASS THE LEGENDARY LOTUS CIRCUS?

What? But didn't the Lotus Circus win the Circus Collection five times in a row?

That record still stands today, doesn't it?

They've got to be on a different level, right?

Well, that's true.

Just getting picked to represent Japan at the Circus Collection is an honor,

so to repeat as champs is beyond amazing.

Still, that was ten years ago.

Techniques have advanced since then, so maybe it's not so impossible anymore.

And Miss Nanami of the Sumeragi family probably has a good chance of getting there.

MS. NANAMI SUMERAGI

But for the flying trapeze, having chemistry with your catcher is a must.

That's true.

In that case, the Black Lotus' partner,

Mr. Aiden Mitscher, would be a good fit, right?

Aiden Mitscher?

This is Mr. Aiden Mitscher.

Wow, so cool.

A foreigner.

I mean, the Black Lotus is such a heartthrob, but this guy's pretty hot, too.

Right?

As a flyer, if I could ever find a catcher like this, I'd be over the moon.

Over the moon, I said.

Mizuka, you were with the Black Lotus all that time, weren't you?

Uh, yeah.

Lucky you.

I can't believe you were in the same circus as a dreamy guy like that.

I never once thought he was dreamy.

What did you say?

In the first place, who thinks their own father is dreamy?

Not only that, but what a Paramecium he was...

What?

Mizuka's the daughter of the Black Lotus?

You've got to be kidding, right?

You knew, Ms. Rin?

Yes. But Mizuka didn't seem like she wanted to mention it herself.

So I've kept my mouth shut.

Yeah, but still, that's crucial information.

I can't wrap my head around it.

You're... You're...

Why didn't you tell us about Mizuka?

Well, it was a little complicated.

Not that it's really much of a story,

but I'll tell you sometime, so can you wait for now?

Fine.

The Black Lotus asked me to look after Mizuka for the time being, you see.

So the whole thing about her debt is a lie?

No, that part's true.

The Black Lotus is completely indifferent to anything aside from the circus.

Who knows where all his earnings vanish to.

Hold on a second.

You and the Black Lotus are that close?

I mean, seriously, that's news to me.

Really, who exactly are you?

Well, let's set that aside for now.

Please don't.

Isn't Mizuka a great asset?

For us, she's a bargain.

Especially in light of our financial situation.

I'm sorry to have to do this to her,

but to compel her to work at our circus, I'm going to use that debt.

What are you, a demon?

The only thing is, I had no idea she was so reluctant to do circus work.

Our next show is coming up, so what should we do about that stubborn kid?

Well, I did make a preemptive strike.

Behold, the face of a villain.

Speaking of our next show...

There's no chance that Sumeragi will steal our venue again, like last time, right?

Don't worry about it.

This time, I was able to pay them a little in advance.

Although there's a big amusement park in the area,

I did confirm that no other circuses were scheduled to perform there.

And so, I don't believe we'll have any trouble drawing customers.

Not like we're big enough to rent a major venue.

Don't say that like it's something to brag about.

Mizuka? Do you mind?

Uh, sure. Come in.

What are you reading?

Oh, that's the picture book you had on you when you came to us.

Yes. The Wizard of Oz.

My late mother gave it to me when I was little.

I've read it so many times, and I'm always carrying it with me.

So look how ragged it is now.

I see.

What kind of story is it?

In a nutshell, it's about how the heroine, Dorothy,

goes on a journey to her homeland with friends.

Sounds like Momotaro.

Just the part about her friends joining her, yeah.

Why don't we go to bed now?

Mizuka.

Yes?

So you're the daughter of the Black Lotus, huh?

Yes.

I kind of blurted that out, didn't I?

It did kind of take me by surprise.

Listen. Hear me out, will you?

Ever since I saw it as a child,

I've been starstruck by your father's act, the Lotus Blossom.

Yes, I know.

I happened to hear you talking to Kasumi that day.

It's the act that I'm always dreaming about.

When I'm flying, I'm always imagining that act in my mind.

And then, when I flew with you,

I felt something special that I'd never felt before.

That's why, when I found out that you were his daughter,

I thought, "Well, no wonder."

If you and I could...

SUNFLOWER CIRCUS

Is Ms. Maria awake?

TIGER BRAND TOOTH POWDER

She's always telling us how tired she is lately, huh?

I bet that stunt Akane pulled last week didn't help, either.

- Sorry. - Sorry.

Ms. Rin says they're still sore from that day.

Wonder what we're having for breakfast today?

Potatoes!

Long time no see!

There!

There!

What's going on? Help me out already!

It's a trespasser!

Call the police!

Huh? Wait, is that you, Mitchy?

Hi, Mizuka.

- What, you know him? - He's huge.

It's been a long time. How've you been?

What's with that look on your face?

Smile!

Please stop.

- Mizuka, who is that? - A friend of yours?

Should we call the police?

This is Mitchy.

Aiden Jett Mitscher.

Morning.

What?

The person you were talking about yesterday?

The Black Lotus' partner, you mean?

Nice to meet you.

No, hold up a second.

Could he look any less like his photograph?

Now that you mention it, I'm looking much older now, aren't I?

That's your concern?

The change is way too drastic, right?

What are you doing here all of a sudden?

Shouldn't you be working in Albania or some other dukedom now?

But of course, I came all this way because I longed to see your face.

Uh, right. You just saw it, so bye now.

Well, well, someone's being callous.

I have to go on a shopping run now.

Is she always like that?

Yes, she can be a little surly, but it's actually adorable.

She keeps stirring up trouble because she can't read the room.

Yup, that's how she is normally.