Christmas on July 24th Avenue (7月24日通りのクリスマス)

"All men are created equal, neither above nor under each other."

Yukichi Fukuzawa's famous comment.

But I know...

It's a lie.

All men are not equal in this world.

Even at this moment...

babies are born one after another.

But they aren't equal.

It's written.

Everything goes on as is written.

One is born to be a prince,

another to be a princess.

Suppose...

we stage a play.

A certain boy plays the prince,

and a certain girl the princess.

They are attractive as human beings.

What'll common people be,

without charm, talent or money?

Stagehands.

I've been one for a long time.

If I had wings like birds...

I'd like to fly with you in the sky.

What are you doing?

I'm sorry.

Hurry! The snow!

True love always meets hindrance.

God gives our hearts a bitter trial.

I know.

Don't blame the unjust world

or my poor family.

Simply...

I'm to blame.

I'll never be in the spotlight.

I know.

I know,

but... that time...

Now you're smiling.

You're charming when you smile.

What a comment!

For the first time in my life.

It's become my special place.

I met him here for the first time...

Here on July 24th Avenue.

"July 24th Avenue"

I know, this is my imagination.

The comic story with the background of Lisbon, Portugal,

gave me a hint.

As I read it, I realized...

my town of Nagasaki...

is similar to Lisbon.

Both are harbor towns...

the entrances to each country...

and have streetcars running...

similar statues...

many slopes...

Even buildings are alike. And...

both are harbor towns...

I said that.

Statues...

I said that.

Yes!

Both have the quiet blue sea.

I haven't seen Lisbon, though.

Sayuri.

Good day!

Good day!

No. This is different.

Japanese manners - the worst!

Every morning I take a streetcar

at July 24th Avenue,

pass by Jeronimos Monastery,

get off at Commercio Square,

and go to Garrett Street where my office is located.

The imagination makes my daily routine enjoyable.

And I look for my prince every day. That's fun.

I'm sorry.

He comes in fifth this week.

It's my personal ranking.

"Have room in your heart for your dreams."

Martin Luther King said that.

Have secret dreams.

Nobody blames you for that.

Who comes in fourth this week?

Sayuri!

The special issue's now on sale!

Yoshio Moriyama, my old buddy.

Not him.

"Amore! Amore!"

Jose Rodriguez, my eternal hero!

He looks wild, but once saved a wounded giraffe.

In fact, he's gentle and nice.

Paper and ink, after all.

You should fall in love with somebody in the flesh.

I bought this.

This is my father, Goro Honda.

A fir tree.

Miss Kaibara is his girlfriend.

It's still November. Too early.

Why don't you enjoy a happy time longer?

I love Christmas.

So do l...Christmas.

We agree with each other.

Mr. Honda?

Mr. Koji Honda?

Mr. Nagasaki University?

A cool guy!

My brother, Koji Honda, comes in third.

Sayuri.

I saw this.

Nice, isn't he?

He's my type.

Really?

Because you haven't seen him.

I mean, say more nice things about him.

Good morning.

My compliments.

He wins second place.

Mr. Ando, the section chief, gives us good food.

We like him.

By the way, Sayuri...

You free tonight?

Tonight?

Just a moment.

I'm free tonight.

How about dinner?

Cheers!

Akiko, you're beautiful.

Thank you.

You too.

Cheers!

This is reality.

And the hairdresser boy said,

"Are you really married?"

This label is designed by an underground artist.

It's funny. I haven't got stiff shoulders.

But the hairdresser boy massaged me

saying, "Your shoulders are stiff."

It's not easy to buy one.

I tried hard not to burst out laughing.

Nice, isn't it?

Akiko was my senior at school.

After we graduated, she often came to see me...

with him.

Hello.

My boyfriend. A lighting designer.

He'll help you with your stage.

You...

Property girl?

I'll spotlight them. Decorate them.

By the way...

Satoshi is coming back.

He published a book.

So he'll have an autograph session.

He wants to see his old schoolmates.

Okuda? Is he coming?

It seems everyone wants to see him.

The wine.

Will you serve it, Sayuri?

I bought a whole case. The remainder.

The No. 1 prince of the week is...

My all-time hero who won first place for 397 consecutive weeks...

Mr. Satoshi Okuda.

"Light and Men" by Satoshi Okuda Autograph Session

Sayuri, collect your courage.

Confess to Satoshi.

Impossible.

He's a big name in Tokyo.

I have no chance.

You can make it.

Poster-thief!

Not so easy being in love.

Not for me, at least.

Love?

A new love.

Honestly, I have a new girlfriend.

Really? That's fine.

Help us, Sayuri.

I don't like Christmas.

Another negative comment.

Why don't you get a boyfriend before Christmas?

Christmas is a Christian event.

Not a love-hunt session.

Is your way of life like this?

"What flower will bloom, though I didn't sow any seeds?"

"Will I pass the test, though I didn't take it?

"Will I hit a fortune, though I didn't buy any lottery tickets?

Good!

Help us, Sayuri.

If you prefer, wear the red-and-green costume in the mood for Christmas.

No way.

Koi (love).

The deadline... November.

Koi (love).

The deadline... last week.

Koi (carp).

This one...the day before.

All contests have ended.

Maybe I'm not suited for cartooning.

What do you think?