The Balloonatic

Ta-Taichi!

H-Hey...

You didn't need to rush here.

But...

You sent an e-mail saying that you wanted to talk.

So, Nagase...

I did some thinking,

and I realized that I'm a selfish and self-centered person.

Once my mind is made up,

I lock myself in and ignore all other possible conclusions.

And if I think I'm right about something,

I'll never admit that I'm wrong.

That's why I ended up hurting Inaba, arguing with Aoki,

and hurt you, too.

I'm a selfish jerk.

So I thought I should keep my distance

to avoid hurting anyone.

But when I actually tried to distance myself, I realized

that I want to be with you guys.

Instead of staying away to avoid hurting everyone,

I'd rather stay together and risk it.

So, if you don't mind, can I stay by your side?

That's not fair, Taichi.

Er, uh...

I've been working hard to keep everyone together.

But everyone was getting hurt,

so I figured it was inevitable that we'd fall apart.

I was convinced of that.

But now you say it doesn't matter

if we all hurt each other?

Well, it does make sense.

But I never thought I'd hear you say

that it doesn't matter if we hurt each other.

Yeah, I've been doing a lot of thinking.

Are you going to tell everyone else what you

just told me and bring back the whole club?

That's the plan.

This doesn't feel right.

I was trying hard, but then you just took it all upon yourself.

Uh, well...

You're definitely a selfish jerk.

But your head is usually in the right place.

Even if your methods aren't the best.

My sister said something similar.

That's why I ended up injuring you.

I thought you said it's inevitable that we'd hurt each other?

I didn't mean physically.

It's okay. I forgive you.

Okay.

First, I'll talk to Inaban.

I'll call Aoki.

Okay, let's give it our best shot!

Yeah!

Can't Stop Can't Stop Can't Stop

It's been a while.

Yeah.

So, Aoki...

I said some terrible things to you the other day.

I was too arrogant and full of myself.

I was convinced that I could do everything myself.

But that was wrong!

I can't undo the wrong I've done,

but I want to apologize!

Sorry!

Aoki?

Damn you!

You beat me to the punch!

Yeah, so...

I was also going to apologize.

Huh?

When you called me, I knew you'd already beaten me to it.

It really hurt when Iori-chan said I was getting too jealous.

I died a little on the inside.

Oh, I'm not saying that Iori-chan was being mean or anything.

It hurt because she was right.

I was jealous of you because

you saved Yui and everyone else while I did nothing.

I started avoiding you guys because it was hard for me to swallow.

Honestly, I only saved them by chance.

Besides, it was for my own reasons

that I kept saying I wanted to help Kiriyama.

Taichi, I'm sorry!

Aoki...

Can I come in?

Oh. No luck, huh?

She sent me packing before I had a chance to talk to her.

But I'm going to drop by her house again.

It's probably too soon for us to tag along, right?

Do you think Iori-chan got through to Inaba-chan this time?

She said she'll call if it goes well.

So since she hasn't called...

Taichi...

Let's sit down.

Doesn't it scream adolescence when you see

two guys having a talk out here?

Let's enjoy our youth!

I don't think it's possible to do

something completely altruistic.

Yeah, in the end, everything we do is for ourselves.

But I still...

Want to help Yui, right?

Yeah.

But I don't think we can do it ourselves.

Kiriyama has to let us help her.

Sure, but we have no idea how long these episodes will continue,

and she can't hide in her room forever.

If Kiriyama has another episode,

we should be able to stop her if we're there.

You think we can stop Yui?

If we're really careful and try our best...

That's an old-fashioned way of thinking.

I have no idea

how you were able to cure Yui's trauma.

I took your advice.

Huh?

You mentioned that swapping personalities

presented us with new opportunities.

That's how I got the idea.

So maybe there's a solution

that's unique to our current situation.

I-I think I have an idea.

Really?

Kiriyama

Yui? Yui!

Your friends are here again.

Open the door, Yui!

Don't worry, "Mom"!

We'll talk to Yui-san!

Thank you for dropping by so often.

Please, I would do anything for Yui-san!

Yui, it's me and Taichi.

We want to talk.

Can you open the door?

Come in.

It's been a while.

Uh-huh...

Yui, let's go outside.

Let's go to school.

You'll be fine.

How many times do I have to repeat myself?

I don't know when I might suddenly beat someone up.

I can't step outside.

But if you just hide in here forever,

this whole mess might never get fixed.

You'll be fine, Yui!

You can stop yourself from beating someone up!

Don't be stupid!

I can try to stop myself,

but if I have an episode, I'll lose control!

That's not true!

Even when your desire is unleashed,

if you try really, really hard to stop yourself, it'll work!

It won't work when your desire is unleashed.

You can't stop yourself.

That's how it works.

That's how it works, but it's not how it works!

Huh?

I'm saying that you can stop yourself!

If I can prove that it's possible,

you'll be able to come outside,

come to school,

and come to the clubroom, right?

Well, if I can stop myself...

Okay, that's perfect!

I can't say I'm proud of it,

but I love you, Yui!

I really love you!

I love you so much! So, so much!

I'm also not proud to admit that I have a dirty mind.

To be frank, my mind is always in the gutter!

I'm thinking dirty thoughts!

Really dirty thoughts!

Wait, what are you talking about?!

And honestly, if I had an episode right now,

I would be seconds away from throwing myself on you!

Wh-What are you saying?!

That's despicable!

Wait! You've got it wrong!

Sicko!

I'm saying that my

ironclad determination will stop me from doing that!

It proves that, if you're determined enough,

you can fight back when your desire is unleashed!

H-How stupid can you be?!

I have no idea what you're trying to say!

Well, I guess I understand what you mean.

Okay?

So, Yui...

Let's spend a night in a love hotel.

No way!

Why would I put myself in danger?!

Because nothing will happen.

How can you be so sure?!

Because the last thing I want to do is hurt you.

Because I truly love you.

I'm confident that my desire to not hurt you

will always be stronger.

Besides, on the off chance that I do give in,

you would have no trouble beating me to a pulp.

I don't want to hurt you.