Dagashi Kashi (だがしかし)

This looks like crap.

Huh?

Oops. I missed To's call.

Hey, man!

How's the manga going? I bet you're totally stuck.

I'm at the café with Saya. Why don't you come hang with us?

Or we could go hit up the beach!

You know summer break means smokin' hot ladies

rockin' out those swimsuits!

Either way, call me back!

See ya, Coconuts!

He knows it's Kokonotsu.

Hm?

Kokonotsu, we need to talk.

So, you wanted to talk, Dad?

Hmm... Honestly, it's not bad,

but I think you glorify the girl character too much.

Huh?

Also, right here,

gotta say I don't entirely understand the point.

Maybe you should rewrite it

so that it will make sense to your readers.

What the hell, Dad?!

I didn't give you permission to read my manga,

much less criticize it!

Excuse me?! You're supposed to be my successor

and become the ninth owner of our sacred family business!

Focus on that instead of some 2-D world!

It's time to grow up!

I'll choose my own job!

I'm going to make manga, okay?

And stop trying to sound cool by calling me a "successor"!

It's not some kingdom, it's a small candy store!

Crybaby.

I hate to break it to you, but you really need a reality check.

Why me?

It's this thing called marketing.

Maybe you should try putting the dagashi

in jars on a lower shelf.

As it is, when kids come in they can't reach them.

Also, don't be afraid to buy the dagashi

that have popular characters on them.

I know that they cost more, but they sell better.

Ya see? You're a dagashi genius!

You're tossing around great ideas without even trying!

You must be the chosen hero to keep Shikada Dagashi going!

No way!

Manga for life, yo!

Kokonotsu, this is it for me, so please.

Watch the store!

--Buh-bye now! --

Hey, no fair!

Hi, are you open?

Yeah!

Come on in.

Can I ask you something?

Is this place the Shikada Dagashi?

Is it? Spit it out already.

Oh! Yes.

Good. Can I please speak to Yo?

He just stepped out.

Uh, so do you, like, know my dad?

Indeed!

He's super famous after all.

How rude of me!

I'm Hotaru Shidare.

I'm Kokonotsu Shikada.

Hey, wait.

Your name sounds familiar.

-- --So you've heard of me?

Uh, maybe?

Yep! It's the famous snack maker, Shidare Company!

Not to brag or anything, but it's my dad's business!

And my sacred duty in this life

is to make it the world's number one

most famous snack manufacturer!

Cool, but please don't drop our TV.

And so...

It's too bad that Yo isn't here.

So now what?

Hey, you're his son.

I challenge you!

Come on, we'll have a snack battle!

Huh?

I need to know for sure,

and this is the only way to see if you're worthy to be my rival!

Prepare yourself!

Are you the king of dagashi?

Now! This is Umaibou.

Um yeah, I know.

Umaibou is famous.

That's because it has a variety of flavors!

Hm?

I could really go for a delicious pizza.

But I'm also craving natto.

Truly, this is a taste bud conundrum!

Whatever shall I do?

Glance.

Why not just eat both of those things?

Aha, now you get it.

See? There aren't certain flavors in a single package,

but you can create whatever tastes you want...

...using Umaibou!

So, I'm dying to know.

What kind of food combinations can you make with it?

Uh...

In other words,

I'm asking you to create a new flavor.

Oh, and no pressure, but you better impress me.

She's like some kind of weird

final boss in a food game.

And so...

How about...

...cheese with octopus dumplings?

An "octo-cheese" flavor?

Meh, that sounds okay, but it's still lacking.

Alright, so better yet! We could actually grill them!

Grill them? Grill Umaibou?

Maybe, but it still needs something.

Yeah, you're right.

Mm...

Am I allowed to combine more than two?

By all means, whatever works!

'Kay...

What if we tried pizza and onion salad mixed with corn potage?

Like an Italian mood combo?

Nah, that's dumb.

Ottimo!

There's a French party in my mouth!

H-Hey um, don't you mean Italian party?

Well, moving right along. Consider me impressed.

What?

Really? Thanks!

Yes, I can sense that you'll rise to greatness.

--As a dagashi shop owner. --

Ya see, son?

It's like I've been saying all along.

If that's true, you must be Yo.

Hm? Hm.

-- -- Oo-wah!

You want some potato fries?

Yes, That'd be lovely.

What the--? I'm so lost.

You just can't beat potato fries!

Right?

Even though they're really thin, they're packed with flavor!

The salt, the artery clogging grease.

Staples for any foodie!

Aw yeah, girl!

You know your stuff!

Well, you do, too!

Oh hey, Kokonotsu.

Huh?

Do you want me to tell you the most delicious way

to eat potato fries?

Uh...

Here's what you do.

Careful with those.

Hm!

Eat them all together in one shot!

Uh...

-- -- However.

This technique requires caution.

That spicy-spicy chicken flavor is super-hot.

Impressive!

She doesn't just like dagashi,

she's got a passion for it!

Kokonotsu.

I like your new girlfriend.

Girlfriend?!

Shut up, Dad!

Stop assuming things. She's here for you!

I see.

You're from the Shidare Company.

Then that makes this a tragedy.

If you two kids were going out,

our family business would be secured.

Wha--? Don't be ridiculous.

That's crazy!

Can you believe this guy?

Yes, I can.

Unfortunately, I'm already in love with someone else.

Ah. Of course you are.