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

What a real circus is?

Yes. I'll say it again.

You don't understand what the circus is all about.

That handlebar mustache.

How could he talk to me like that?

AROUND 10 YEARS AGO SOMEWHERE IN THE U.S.A.

For as long as she could remember,

Mizuka had been traveling all over the world with the Lotus Circus.

She'd lost her mother as a young child,

so the other troupe members were like her own family.

That's why she was able to endure the harsh training,

and why she always pushed herself to catch up to the grownups.

She always dreamed of taking the stage at the Lotus Circus one day.

She worked so hard at it, didn't she?

But she never did perform onstage, like she'd always dreamed of doing.

Why not?

The Lotus Circus disbanded.

Yes. And it was the Black Lotus who decided to shut it down.

Is it because your father took away the place you held so dear?

But why? Why are we shutting down?

I want to take the stage!

You stupid...

Paramecium!

She couldn't stop sobbing.

There was nothing else that she could do.

Um, why did he shut it down in the first place?

That Black Lotus was obsessed with the circus through and through.

Once he was past his physical prime,

he couldn't forgive himself for being unable to perform at the highest level.

But why shut it down?

He could've turned to coaching. There must've been another way.

No. Most of our audience came hoping to see the Black Lotus perform.

It's hard to admit, but without him, we couldn't live up to their expectations.

And so he chose to vanish while the audience members were still dreaming.

I know how that feels.

But then, what about Mizuka's feelings?

You're right.

Most likely, all she could see was her dreams and her home being ripped away from her.

It wasn't until the day of the Lotus Circus' final show

that she finally regained her composure.

That day, the Black Lotus tried to pass his own dream onto his daughter.

Telling her to take his place

as a performer who would one day lead a future circus.

One day, you'll be taking the stage at the circus, too!

I'd rather die.

I want to perform on the Lotus Circus' stage!

I won't do that unless it's with the others!

So that's why she's refusing to become a performer?

I feel so sorry for Mizuka.

That's way too selfish of the Black Lotus.

Um, so what does that have to do with Mizuka not understanding

what the circus is all about?

Since she's never once been onstage, she has no grasp of what's really important.

He's eating nonstop.

So why are you all working at the circus?

Huh?

Well, because it's fun, of course.

Yeah.

And we like seeing the audience smiling.

Yeah.

Right, that's it.

Mizuka's never stood before an audience with that mindset.

I see.

Like when Yamada... When Sister Svie

and Sister Shizuku did their Aerial Silks act the second time.

Okay, then if we can teach her that...

I don't think that will be enough.

She has to experience it for real in front of an audience.

Yeah, but she says she's not going to perform.

Hello. Maria, do you have a second?

So, according to Rin, the major venue close to our next show site

will soon be occupied by the Sumeragi Group's top-ranked troupe, the Blue Rose Circus.

BLUE ROSE CIRCUS

Unless we do something about that, we'll lose our audience to them.

Ms. Nanami's coming here?

I had a bad feeling about this all along.

Maria.

If we're up against Blue Rose, we can't hope for any miracles, like last time.

Yes. I know how hard you've all been working,

but this could probably deal the death blow to our finances.

This might be the end of the Sunflower Circus.

No. That just can't happen.

Ms. Rin, I thought you told us that we'd be fine!

I'm sorry.

Stop it right now.

It's not Rin's fault.

It's the Circus Collection Association who mishandled this.

This was simply an unforeseen situation.

I'm sorry.

Does Sumeragi have something against us, or what?

Is it because I turned down Ms. Nanami's invitation?

Rin called the Association about it,

but they're way out of our league, and they wouldn't take us seriously.

This is the only home Big Sis and I have.

There's nowhere else for me to go, either.

Same for us. We love this place that Maria created for us.

I don't want to think about it not existing anymore.

Maria, let's come up with a strategy for our show.

Let's all put our heads together and think hard.

So that we can overcome this crisis.

Mitchy! Showdown!

Huh? Why are you all sitting there looking so serious?

Huh? What's going on?

I told you before. I don't want to be a performer anymore.

I hate to break it to you,

but after this place is gone, it doesn't mean your debt will also disappear.

How are you going to repay it without the circus?

What? That sounds like blackmail to me, you know.

We know that.

But right now, we need to do whatever it takes to protect Sunflower.

No use. It's futile.

Mizuka performing in your show won't be of any help whatsoever.

Hey, how would you know that unless I try first?

Oh, I can tell. Who do you think I am?

A legendary star, that's who.

He said it himself.

That was way back in ancient times.

There isn't a single person who remembers you now, Mitchy.

Well, such harsh words!

I'll have you know that I'm still active.

Huh? You're nothing but an old guy with a 'stache.

Why, you wretched little brat.

I've been able to see right through you in every way, ever since you were a child.

You're not up to it. It's a waste of time.

I don't want to hear that from someone I haven't seen in years!

Fine, then.

If you're that determined, then I'll take you on in that showdown you mentioned.

Let's see who's the better catcher for Ms. Kawasumi.

What?

Huh?

We'll compete to see which is the more alluring combo.

If you win, not only will I repay your debt with no strings attached...

but I'll also let you perform in the next show!

That's fine by me! I'll win and perform in the show.

Huh?

Let's go, Ouka.

What?

We'll be going on ahead to get ready.

I see. So that's how you handle her.

Huh? What if she loses?

She'll do whatever we say, I guess?

Now, then...

Ms. Shizuku? Yamada?

Isn't there something that you two can do to protect this troupe?

What's the holdup?

But no way am I going to fall for his cheap taunts.

Right, Ouka?

Yeah. Let's put on a great performance.

Yes!

Looks like she still hasn't realized.

I'm starting to get a little worried.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

What?

Huh?

Why is Yama... Sister Svie and Sister Shizuku...

We'll be taking you on in this showdown.

No need to trouble Mr. Mitscher to take part in this side show.

What? But Ms. Shizuku, your shoulder...

I won't be pushing my luck.

Still, we won't let you two beat us.

Who said anything about costumes?

We're going all-in, right?

You're the one who's not taking this seriously enough.