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

TEN YEARS AGO AUTUMN

SUNFLOWER CIRCUS

I ended up flying again.

What's more, I was lured by the money. And then I was unable to resist.

Ms. Maria, Ms. Maria!

I haven't been paid for my last performance yet.

That should be the least of your worries right now.

Huh?

Oh yeah, where's our next venue?

That's right, you haven't told us yet.

At this moment, we are facing an unprecedented crisis.

To put it bluntly, we're broke.

Hey, hold up a second.

Didn't that last show bring in a decent haul?

Sure.

But the tradeoff for raking in so much

was having our creditors pounce, not wanting to miss this chance.

What does she mean by "tradeoff"?

In other words, they confiscated our earnings.

At this rate, it'll be difficult to even travel, let alone put on a show.

Hey, we stopped.

And on that note, we've reached our destination.

- The sea? - Yeah, it's the sea.

What? We're on break?

The sea. How lovely.

- So? What do you want us to do? - I wonder if I packed my swimsuit.

If we're broke, we can't even put on a show to make money.

Not to worry.

We may be out of funds, but you all have those healthy bodies, don't you?

D-Don't tell us we're gonna do something indecent?

Oh, please. No way.

So hot.

Hey, part-timer. Where are those plates?

Uh, right. Coming right up.

Yummy, yummy stir-fried noodles. Would you like some?

SHAVED ICE WE HAVE RAMUNE SODA

STIR-FRIED NOODLES RIGHT OVER HERE RESTAURANT

We have shaved ice and ramune soda, too.

They're ice-cold.

Why are we working part-time?

STIR-FRIED NOODLES UDON YAKITORI WELCOME

Part-timer! Get a move on, will you?

Yes, sir. Oh!

What are you doing, Imari? Bring them over here now.

Um, Isuzu. Sorry.

Seriously.

Whoa, you scared me!

Hey, you. Did you pay for that?

No, I did not.

What are you doing, eating?

Stir-fried noodles?

Stir-fried noodles?

Don't give me that.

Isuzu, you're too vicious.

LIFEGUARD DOI BEACH

You just killed at least 500 brain cells.

Oh, there you are.

Really, now, Mizuka.

Didn't Maria tell you to join the practice session?

Ouka's waiting for you.

No. At this time, I feel that

it's more crucial to repair the troupe's finances than to practice,

which is why I've come to this beach hut.

You're talking quite fast.

- Part-timer! - Imari!

I'm sorry.

Get yourself over there now.

Right.

Welcome back, Mizuka.

All right, you're going to practice with me now.

Welcome back, Mizuka.

All right, you're going to practice with me now.

First I have a question for you, Ouka.

Huh?

Imari and Ms. Isuzu. Why don't they get along?

Where did that come from?

Well, it seems to me like Ms. Isuzu's pretty rough on Imari.

Well, I don't know much details myself.

But those two are childhood friends.

And I hear they used to be really close.

So you don't know why they had a falling out?

No. But...

Really now. You're too far away.

There.

Chemistry's important when you work in a circus.

Since it also has a huge impact on everyday relationships,

it would be better if those two got along.

I feel the same way, too. I'd like to get closer to you.

I felt it when we flew together.

Svietlana, you're incredible.

That you and I have a rapport of some kind, Mizuka.

It's thanks to the way you're leading me.

If we can get along, then I can go anywhere with you.

Seriously!

I had a feeling that she might not be there, but still.

Come on!

STIR-FRIED NOODLES UDON YAKITORI WELCOME

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

Give me a break!

STIR-FRIED NOODLES

You're running this shop into the ground!

I'm so sorry.

For crying out loud...

Whoa. Again?

Aren't you going to switch places with her?

Oh, shut up. This has nothing to do with you.

Hey.

Give you a part-time job?

But I can't afford to hire any more of you.

Mizuka, why would you...

You can just pay for one of us.

I want to do whatever I can to help Imari.

Mizuka.

After all...

Even if it's just practice, I refuse to be dragged into performing.

Oh, that's what this is about?

Welcome.

Two servings of stir-fried noodles?

But the stir-fried noodles at that other restaurant is cheaper and tastes better.

Huh?

Two strawberry shaved ices and two melon ices, right?

But you can get them for cheaper at the food stall.

I mean, syrup tastes the same no matter where you get it, right?

Hey, Boss! Cockroaches!

There's a swarm of cockroaches behind the shelves!

You're fired.

Why would he fire us? It's unfathomable to me.

To me, you're even more unfathomable, Mizuka.

They weren't cockroaches. They were sea slaters, huh?

But what are we going to do? We're supposed to be earning money.

Imari, up ahead.

Where are you, Mommy?

- Mommy! - Oh, no.

What's the matter? You got separated from your mom?

Oh, um...

Here, take a look at this.

I'm going to take this, go like this...

- There! - Whoa!

Not done yet.

Ta-da!

Here. This is for you.

That trick just now. I couldn't tell how she did it.

Thank you!

Imari.

That thing. Please prepare one for me.

We're soaking in an outdoor bath again?

There's no better place to think things over than the bathtub.

So, you wanted to talk to me about something?

Yes. One thing I'd like to ask you,

and one ingenious scheme.

What? Then start with the thing you wanted to ask me.

This one, huh?

Why does Ms. Isuzu hate you so much, Imari?

I am unable to answer that particular question.

What's the ingenious scheme?

Is that right?

I've come upon an idea to make money.

A magic show on the beach. Let's do it!

A magic show?

You want me to do that? Where there are tons of people?

No way, no way, no way, no way.

You can do it.

D-Don't you remember? You told me yourself that day, Mizuka.

That my movements were awkward and it made you nervous to watch me.

They were totally smooth just now.

You can do it.

I can't, okay?

I can't do it! Because shows bring back all kinds of memories.

Huh?

It's not the shows. I'm afraid to be in front of an audience, truth be told.

I get nervous just by seeing a crowd.

Even though you work in a circus? I guess we can set that aside for now.

I know it doesn't make sense.

My father was a famous magician.

Ever since I was little, I was so proud of him, and I adored him.

And I'd help him onstage.

I was so happy then.

You like your dad.

Yes.

Are there humans who do?

Would you mind listening to me without joking?

I really did adore him.

But then one day, my father completely botched a performance.

So many people were injured, and the public bashed and denounced him.

It tore my family apart.

If you want it, I'll give you a dream.

That's how I ended up being taken in by Ms. Maria.

Magic tricks are the only connection I have with my father,

so I'm just clinging onto them.

Ms. Maria always helps me out onstage, so I manage to make it work.

But the truth is, I'm scared to be in shows.

I'm scared to have all those eyes on me.

Because it reminds me...

Why don't we change the subject?

Yeah.

Why does Ms. Isuzu hate you so much?

Isuzu's from a family of street performers,