Ikebukuro West Gate Park (池袋ウエストゲートパーク)

This is a work of fiction. The characters,organizations, and names herein are fictitious,and bear no relation to existing entities.

Until then, in Ikebukuro, the G-Boys called all the shots

for the delinquents, dancers, thrashers, and tons of other kids.

Their King is Takashi Andou.

A cool ruler, not unlike a glass placed inside a freezer.

The object of adoration for this town's girls.

And then, he showed up.

He suddenly started dancing in West Gate Park when it was packed with kids,

and in the blink of an eye, he won over everybody there.

His name is Kyouichi Ozaki.

Another bit of charisma that landed in Ikebukuro.

Ikebukuro West Gate Park

OK Curry

OK Curry is currently running a promotion!

We sure are! Get free extra rice with your OK Fried Rice!

All together now! How much is OK Curry?

2-9! 2-9!

¥290!

How much is OK Fried Rice?

3-2! 3-2!

¥320!

You're not cut out for our company!

If you want to quit, just get it over with!

I'm sorry! I'll work harder from now on!

Not from now on! Right now!

Our company doesn't need someone who can't do it now!

You're nothing but garbage!

I'm sorry! I really am!

Twenty push-ups!

Yes, sir! I'd be glad to!

One!

Two!

Three!

Welcome! We hope you enjoy your meal at OK Curry!

Thank you very much!

We do hope you'll come again!

Thank you for waiting!

Please, take your time!

"OK Curry" "Now hiring"

This is the place, Makoto.

The rumors were true, and maybe then some. Wow...

How does it taste?

It's not bad. But it's not good either.

You can eat your fill for a very low price.

It's quite the typical business approach in today's world.

Behind it are young people working for low pay.

There are many who're made to work so much, they lose sleep,

and their physical and mental health suffer as a result.

Not that it's been made all that public yet.

And you're saying the Red Angels are involved?

King?!

Makoto- san !

Masaru.

You've been working here, too?

The one who was doing push-ups is a schoolmate of mine.

His name's Mitsuki, and he was just recently hired.

What did he do wrong? Was it worth that kind of reprimand?

He got there five minutes late, that's all.

But this is his first food service job, so he's pretty clumsy.

That's why the MPs watch him closely.

They're called Military Police, and they go from shop to shop, shaking things up.

In addition to Masaru, about 20 G-Boys are working for OK.

But recently, I've received numerous reports of excessively horrible treatment.

We hear some employees get angry enough to fight back.

But when talk turns to accusations and lawsuits, it's not the MPs...

Some shadowy group of violent punks shows up out of nowhere and issues threats.

Masaru has actually seen them in action.

A violent group belonging to Kyouichi Ozaki?

The Red Angels, apparently.

Kyouichi Ozaki just recently appeared in Ikebukuro, and rapidly built up his group.

They say he's an amazing dancer.

This is another rumor, but to join the Red Angels,

it seems there's some ceremony, like it's a religious group or a secret society.

For my part, I don't intend to compete,

even if there's a new group of kids besides the G-Boys.

Everyone should do as they see fit. That's Ikebukuro.

But if they join up with a sweatshop and harm the G-Boys, that changes things.

But there's no definite proof yet, right?

That's why I want you to find out the truth.

Whether it's the Red Angels who are OK Holdings' goon squad.

I haven't seen their faces.

About ten days ago, I was walking home with another coworker.

He was super pissed about the place's practices.

He said he'd sue for overtime pay, if he had to.

We parted ways at one point.

And then...

You ungrateful punk!

When I ran back in surprise...

He quit his job after that.

Looks like he never filed a lawsuit, either.

There's no proof that was the company's doing.

It was declared an unrelated random attack, and that was that.

What about the story that they're Red Angels?

That's a rumor going around in the G-Boys.

The truth is, I'm reluctant to go against the company.

Although it makes me feel bad for King.

Why? Because you'll be targeted, too?

There is that...

But I used to be such a dumb troublemaker.

I worried my parents so much.

But as I got older, I figured I couldn't keep on doing that stuff.

So, I came to Ikebukuro, got into the G-Boys, and got a job, too.

My parents are unbelievably happy.

Because I've finally started working for real.

I've tried hard to get this far.

I'd like to keep on going.

I think Mitsuki and the others feel the same way.

Makoto- san , are you really going?

I'll go check them out, at least.

These Red Angels of Kyouichi Ozaki's.

Wh-What's with these guys?!

Why're they all up in our faces?!

Who knows?

Stay close to me.

Wait! Wait! Wait!

Don't go doing whatever you want when Kyouichi isn't around!

You must be Makoto Majima- san ?

Takashi Andou- san 's friend?

I hear you're famous in Ikebukuro.

Are you here on business?

I wouldn't use that word for it.

I heard an amazing dancer had shown up,

so I wondered what he was like, and I dropped by.

Kyouichi isn't here today.

I can pass on a message, if you like.

No, I'll come back.

Hey, is his dancing that great?

Yes! I'm sure it would surprise you.

We made it back alive...

So, did anyone there look like the culprits?

Like, the look in their eyes, or their build?

Well, I'm not so sure.

There's a jumper!

It's a suicide!

I heard a young guy from OK Curry is gonna jump!

Hold it right there! Let's talk about this!

There's no point in going on living!

I'm not cut out for society or my company!

There's no place for me!

Mitsuki!

Let me have that!

Makoto?!

This guy's his coworker and his home-town schoolmate!

Wh-What do I do?!

Anything. Talk to him, and get him to back down!

Mitsuki!

Mitsuki, can you hear me?!

I'm really sorry! It's my fault!

This happened because I invited you!

It's not your fault, Masaru- san !

It's because I suck at working and communicating!

Don't sweat the company! Just quit!

There's no reason to die!

If I quit, they'll get me for breach of contract!

I can't cause any more trouble for my family!

There's no need to pay money for that!

Come on, let's you and me start over again!

If you quit, I will, too!

You're not a worthless person!

Masaru- san ...

I'm sorry, Masaru- san !

I'm not about to cause trouble for you, too.

Are you all right?!

Are you hurt?!

He needs an ambulance, now!

Episode 2

Looks like he'll make it.

Go visit him in the hospital tomorrow.

Makoto- san , I've made up my mind.

It's vengeance for Mitsuki.

I'll take them to court or do whatever I have to,

to get them to pay for overtime, or medical fees!

Before there's another case like Mitsuki's.

Majima Produce

Makoto? Masaru was attacked.

It was a masked gang of five.