Hatsukoi Monster (First Love Monster)

Well, here I am.

Hello?

Father?

Mother?

Is this...

Kaho!

Kaho! Kaho!

My brother! What are you doing here?

You're back from America?

Yes, my project has slowed down a bit.

But once I arrived, I found my dear Kaho had moved out on her own...

...with father and the rest gone to some random villa or the like.

The place is utterly deserted!

And so you got in touch with me.

From all your phone messages and telegrams, it seemed serious.

I got worried and came by.

It all worked out.

It brought us siblings together again, just the two of us—

and for that, I'm glad.

But, hey, what's with all these kokeshi dolls?

Yes—aren't they all so adorable?

There are lots of theories behind kokeshi...

...but I like the one where the name means "child transformed."

When I could not cherish you, I would make a kokeshi, coo over it,

and distract myself from my loneliness.

Oh, but today is the best day ever for me!

I am grateful, ever so grateful that you have come, Kaho!

Why did you leave this place and start living on your own?

I thought it over, in my way.

I... I... I'm so sad.

My darling delicate Kaho, sullied and shattered in the big city...

It made me realize that I'd grown too dependent on you and my family...

...as you tried to protect me.

Please, depend on me!

Lean on me so hard...

It's not just that.

All my own problems...

I blamed them on my family, on everyone else.

I'm sorry.

By all means, go ahead and blame me.

It's all my fault. I went to America

and couldn't rescue you when you were in anguish.

No, it's not your fault.

You know, I've been wondering.

Why exactly did you go to America, anyway?

Mother and father said they didn't know the reasons behind it, either.

Oh, never mind about me!

H-How about we watch some TV? Hmm?

I know...

...tonight we shall dine on beautiful Echizen crab!

Oh, my!

Crab, crab, crab...

Hey, where did you get this car?

It's a rental.

You rented it for me?

Guess so.

Why are you so nice to me, anyway?

I lost my mom, too, when I was about your age.

Seeing you reminds me of my childhood...

And I can't let you be.

But you sure are mean to Kaho.

It's not like she's the only one I'm mean to.

The woman my dad remarried was like that.

I hate wishy-washy women.

Wishy-washy?

But Kaho...

Come, you must be hungry.

Dinner is ready at last.

I had no time to prepare—

I'm afraid this meager meal is all the caterer could offer.

Our household's sensibilities are as wonky as ever.

It's just right.

Let's dig in.

Let's dig in.

That seasoned seaweed would remind me of Kanade...

Wh-What is it?

Gimme your seaweed.

Oh, uh, here.

Thank you!

Was it not to your liking?

It was.

Kaho sucked on these very crab shells with her own darling mouth.

And this is the pit from the picked plum

that Kaho placed in her mouth and licked all over!

Brother?

How did you find your bath?

Thanks for letting me go first.

It felt great.

Good to hear.

You must be exhausted.

I used a futon dryer to get your bed nice and fluffy.

Um... I'm going back to Tokyo tomorrow.

To Tokyo?!

No!

Just a little longer?

You came all this way—why not take it easy for a while?

This just...

...feels like I'm running away.

Running away? What from?

Sorry—I am exhausted. I'm turning in.

Good night.

Good night, Kaho.

It's not like I'll have any messages... right?

Kaho seemed a little off somehow.

What on earth happened to her in Tokyo?

A doting brother such as myself cannot help but worry.

Good morning!

Good morning, Kaho.

Breakfast is served.

Starting the day with another feast, I see.

You seemed a bit unwell yesterday...

...so I put in a special order with the caterer

for snapping-turtle soup and roast eel on rice.

Huh?

I... seemed unwell?

Yes.

You may put on a brave face, but your brother can tell.

Kaho... was it something painful that sent you back here?

G-Good morning, Kanade!

I can't hide anything from you, huh.

Well, I have been looking out for my darling sister all this time.

The truth is...

I fell in love.

Love?!

Yes. My first love.

And this rogue is in Tokyo?

What's his occupation?! His pedigree?!

He must be quite the smooth customer to win your heart!

Oh, um, actually, it's over.

I have been dumped.

Dumped?!

It can't be!

There are villains in this world who would dump Kaho?

Kaho! Come out and play!

Huh? That voice...

Is that Kanade?

Kaho! Come out and play!

You came to play?

So what should I say?

Kaho! Come out and make up!

Kaho isn't here right now.

When is she coming back?

She's never coming back.

Brother!

What are you doing?!

Hey, Kaho is too here!

Kanade!

And Taga...

What are you doing here, Kanade?

I came to see you.

To tell you how I really feel.

Wait!

You lied.

And you keep getting in the way.

I beg your pardon?

Oh, Daikoku, this is—

Who are you, anyway?

Who are you?

Her brother!

Her ex-boyfriend!

Her ex, eh?

I have heard about you!

The shiftless fiend who dumped Kaho!\

I will not forgive you!

Kaho! Let's talk over there, alone.

I won't let you!

You'll go off into the shadows, just you two,

and you'll sm-sm-sm-smooch or something, I know it!

Smooch?

Oh, we have done that already.

I-I won't allow it!

I'm her brother, and I say no!

We shall have a proper duel!

A duel?

Red Light, Green Light!

Gr—

Green light... red light!

Green light...

This confrontation of the century, with Kaho on the line,

is "Red Light, Green Light"?!

Green light...

So you say, but you sure are going along with it.