Original subtitles

No way.

This house...

What's up?

Look at this.

It's that super famous manga, Pink Dark Boy.

It's been in Shonen Jumbo magazines since I was a kid.

I used to love this.

Hey!

What do you mean, "used to"?

Part eight of Pink Dark Boy just began serialization last month.

At this very moment, readers should be waiting in anticipation

for this manga that they love so much,

but not you.

You said "used to love", didn't you?

In other words, you stopped reading my manga before it was done,

which is a fatal error, worse than not reading it at all.

I would love to know why!

Very much so.

It's Kishibe... Rohan.

What's this?

You know my name, even when you don't read my work?

Another fatal error.

N-Now wait a second!

Just who do you think you are?

Don't you understand the situation you're in right now?

I have stumbled upon the break-in of my home, presumed empty.

No... that's not right.

If you perhaps knew I was here when breaking in,

then that would change things.

This would be an attempted burglary, wouldn't it?

If I was, by chance, asleep, then it would be thievery.

But now that you've been discovered,

the burglary has become a robbery.

Isn't that right?

Excuse me?

You sure you're okay in the head?

At the moment,

I'm doing some research into theft, you see?

Leaving the door unlocked every night proved effective.

I was able to get some good material tonight.

Huh? Material?

Indeed.

Material for my manga.

Huh?

Well, this is looking bad.

Let's get outta here.

Heaven's Door.

Let the door to your mind now open.

What... is this?

Now, then...

What kind of life leads a man to become a thief?

I'll have you show me every detail.

However...

What made you stop reading my manga?

He said he read it as a kid, didn't he?

if that's the case...

Around here, I suppose.

"I only get up early on Mondays.

On my way to school, I stop by the convenience store

to pick up the early release of Shonen Jumbo,

just so I can read the latest Pink Dark Boy.

The human body remembers everything that has ever happened to it.

Even if a person forgets, the body does not.

These are 100% real memories that can't be found in any interview.

This reality is what breathes life into his work,

providing only the finest entertainment.

"UNIVERSITY DROPOUT"

Of course,

this is only possible due to Kishibe Rohan's natural talent.

My back!

Here we go.

Alright!

Mr. Rohan!

This is Izumi from Shumeisha!

Actually, I know this is sudden,

but I was recently appointed as your new editor,

so I came by today to introduce myself.

I have these documents for you!

You have to be joking!

I have to carry all this stuff back?

Please, no!

Oh!

Okay, then.

Doesn't look like anyone's home.

I'll just leave this here.

Could this day get any worse?

Hey!

Keep it down out there!

Do you understand?

I'm trying to get to work!

You're Mr. Rohan, right?

So, you were home.

This is Izumi from Shumeisha.

I already heard you!

Oh, about the documents...

I don't need them anymore!

Get out of here!

Hold wrists at a perfect 90 degree angle.

Keep all fingers straight and unbent.

Place palms forward.

Bend each finger, one at a time.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5.

And now open them again, one at a time.

1... 2... 3...

4... 5.

And done.

Preparation exercises for drawing manga are now finished.

I'm coming in!

Oh, boy.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

I have recently been appointed to the editorial department at Jumbo.

My name is Izumi Kyoka.

Starting today, I'll be your editor.

Like I said, I heard you.

More importantly, what compelled you to come in

after I told you to leave?

The editor-in-chief told me to make sure to introduce myself.

He also had me bring you these crime documents.

Your last editor said you'll need them for your next story.

Again, I heard what you said.

And I told you I don't need them.

But it seems like such a waste!

They feel really, really professional.

Only a third-rate manga artist

could pull anything from documents like that, alone.

Really?

So, where should I put these?

Come on...

Do you ever listen to what people say?

Is your next story about a criminal?

No.

But a thief does appear for one panel.

"One panel"?

That's what this research is for?

Of course I am! He has lines, after all.

I see...

He's just an average thief, though, isn't he?

An "average thief"?

There's no such thing.

They have different upbringings, and reasons they became thieves,

For instance...

A child has his favorite manga taken before taking his entrance exam.

He ends up failing his exam, ruining his life,

and ultimately becomes a thief.

Using that as a reference, the lines will exude realism.

They will be given life.

Doesn't he only have one line, though?

The number of lines doesn't matter!

A single contrived line

would completely ruin the entire story!

As if the great Kishibe Rohan could ever write something like that!

I see... I'll just put these on the shelf.

Heave, and...

Izumi... wasn't it?

You don't read manga, do you?

Nope!

I did start reading yours,

but I'm still only on part one.

Hold on!

Huh? What is this?

Those are the living material that I was after.

Wait, but they're actually alive!

What happened?

I captured some thieves who broke into my home at night.

Thieves?

We have to call the police!

Of course I'll hand them over,

but not until after I gather some information.

Isn't that right, you two?

Yes, sir.

We will gladly cooperate with Mr. Rohan.

Huh?

Now...

It's time for you to go.

I want to start drawing right away.

Wait. Just hold on.

Whoa!

What in the world...

Oh, man.

I was correct to write that in, just in case.

Until Rohan releases them,

they shall devote themselves as material for his manga

The orders I write down can never be disobeyed.

Now then...

What will be the thief's line?

"Damn it all!"

No, that's not it.

A brief silence.

That's all.

Taro!

Sorry for the wait!

Maron came, too.

It was such a pain!

I knew that a lot of manga artists were odd,

but he's on a whole new level.

It's not normal!

The thieves were arrested the next day, though.

On top of that, he finished his manuscript,

and he's got a great reputation.

It makes me think,

"He's definitely an amazing manga artist."

But he really is strange!

Something's off about him!

Thank you for your patience.

Sorry. I'm just going on about work.

It must be boring for you.

Are you enjoying your job, Izumi?

Huh?

I was really hoping to work for a fashion magazine,

and I don't understand Mr. Rohan's manga at all.

But... I am curious about Mr. Rohan's quirks,

so in that sense, I find it interesting,

but I'm not sure if I enjoy it or not yet.

I see.

What about you?

Are you having fun?

Did you find something?

No.

Got it.

Oh, but...

I did find something strange.

Apparently, it's 3 million yen.

What?

What is this?

Hello!

It's Izumi!

-Izumi... -I'm coming in!

Izumi, how do you always have the worst timing?

You only show up right before I'm about to start working.

Can't you at least make an appointment to waste my time?

I'm sorry, jeez.

But, didn't you say,

"Don't bother the Kishibe Rohan with every little thing.

Come in as you please."

What did your editors do before?

They were scared to get in my way, so they didn't visit as constantly.

You really think highly of yourself, don't you, sir?

This is exactly why I suggested we put an intercom in your study!

I get it, I get it!

So, what did you want?

Mr. Rohan...

For the second set of 45 pages,

have you already decided what to write about?

I was just thinking of ideas.

For example...

Maybe something about the annual solar eclipse?

Boy, that does sound interesting.

Putting that aside for now,

how about buying a villa deep in the mountains?

What was that?

A villa.

It's a fantastic bargain, too.

Only 3 million yen!

Take a look at this.

Here, deep within the mountains,

without any paths leading there,

there's a village with 11 huge mansions.

Forget roads, there's not a single power line installed.

I looked into it,

and its seems to be completely cut off within the forest.

But, they do have electricity.

You can see a heliport as well.

The millionaires that live here get there by helicopter.

Don't tell me,

when you mentioned buying a villa...

That's right!

Right now, there's one lot up for sale for only 3 million yen!

Oh, come on.

Come on, come on, come on!

No matter how you look at that, it's way too fishy!

Even if I have the money for the lot, there's no way I would buy it.

You've got it wrong!

This is the material for your next story.

I'm the one buying the house.

-You are? -That's right.

The lot is 2,648 square meters.

At 3 million yen, between my salary and some loans,

I'm thinking I can afford it.

Look here...

This is way too suspicious!

Even if it is deep in the mountains,

a mansion that large being sold for only 3 million yen?

There's got to be a catch!

There isn't.

I haven't mentioned the important part yet.

You see,

of all 11 property owners,

none of them came from wealthy families.

Do you understand?

The last time one of these properties was put up for sale

was 23 years ago.

It was this mansion, here.

The man who bought it at the time was a 25 year-old delivery driver.

But today,

he's the CEO of an aviation company worth 30 billion yen.

Everyone else here has a similar story.

They bought land there in their twenties,

and became multimillionaires!

A coincidence?

No, that's too many people.

Exactly!

Would you like to go gather some intel, Mr. Rohan?

Intel about this lucky villa that I'm about to buy?

No, it's all just too strange.

A place that amazing should have had a flood of people trying to buy it.

How could someone like you consider this so nonchalantly?

Just what I would expect.

Actually,

buying a house there is extremely difficult.

Firstly, before you get to see the place,

you need a lot of luck and brain power.

And apparently, even if you make it to the village,

you have to clear some pretty difficult conditions.

Conditions?

Like income or social standing?

That's the one thing I couldn't figure out,

no matter how much I researched.

Those who pass keep it a secret,

and those who failed won't talk about it for some reason.

There also seems to be many people who nobody can reach anymore.

Sounds interesting, don't you think?

I can't help but wonder, though...

What now?

If it was for my research, the editorial department

would give me 3 million yen without a second thought.

Even if you put yourself in debt, how could you afford this villa?

Well...

I've got my own circumstances.

You see,

the one who reached the sight wasn't me.

It was my boyfriend.

Now I get it.

So you were either asked by a man to do this

or maybe you just want to support him.

That's not it!

We have our own circumstances.

There was... an accident.

And now,

he's just a bit spacy.

This was the first time, you know,

that I've seen him show any interest in something

I have to jump on this opportunity.

I want to get that good luck and support him.

How silly.

If that's the case, you don't need me.

I have no interest in depressing love stories.

That won't make the editorial department happy!

You said so yourself.

"A background adds realism."

Acting as that background,

I borrow some money, buy a mansion filled with luck,

and then what happens?

I'm pretty sure this is what you would call "living material".

The editorial department...

Does it have a helicopter

Alright!

Be a good boy, Maron.

I'll bring back a souvenir for you.

Thanks for looking after him.

It's no problem.

Alrighty, then.

I'll send you a message if anything new comes up.

Right.

I'll give it my best.

I'm off.

Didn't you say you would prepare a helicopter?

Apparently, only residents are allowed to use the heliport.

Of course...

Wait up.

We're not there yet?

What's with your stamina?

If you think manga artists don't need physical strength,

you are sorely mistaken.

All athletes need to train.

At any rate,

I did a bit of my own research.

It looks like this area used to be prohibited,

though no trace of that remains here.

It was prohibited?

To put it simply,

people were not allowed to enter.

People called it a holy land, or claimed it was cursed.

Really?

But nowadays, we can see everything with online maps.

There are also people who barge in wherever they want,

unafraid of anything at all.

Oh, you're right!

Like people taking tours of temples.

It's a road.

Indeed it is.

Hold on.

Mr. Rohan!

My boyfriend just sent new information.

The seller is the representative for the entire village.

It seems he's extremely picky when it comes to etiquette.

He won't sell to those who can't maintain good manners.

That's what he says.

I'm counting on you, Mr. Rohan.

What does that mean? You're the one buying the villa.

It says that if we mess up, we both get kicked out,

regardless of how much money we have.

Look, isn't there a part of you that thinks that you're the best?

Sort of a pompous thing?

As visitors, we can't be rude,

so I want you to show respect to anyone we meet from this point on.

Manners? If I felt like it, I could stand before the royal family.

Amazing, Mr. Rohan.

I expect great things.

Good day.

I welcome you from your long journey.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

My name is Izumi Kyoka.

Thank you for taking the time today to discuss my purchasing of the villa.

This is my attendant, Kishibe Rohan.

He works as a manga artist.

You may call me Ikkyu.

I have been tasked with escorting you from the main entrance.

Please, come in.

I will call for the owner of this villa right away.

Please wait here.

Thank you very much.

Excuse us.

I was so nervous!

So, the test of manners began at the entrance, huh?

I wasn't sure where to sit.

This is the proper seat, right?

Even as the guest,

you sit in the lower seat, unless offered otherwise.

It's the most basic of basics.

I knew I could rely on you.

Please excuse me.

Take a seat over there.

This is black tea, isn't it?

Yeah.

So, do you know?

Huh?

The etiquette. I'm sure this is a test, too.

Do you know the right answer?

About that...

Mr. Rohan,

you could stand before the royal family, right?

What should I do?

They don't drink in a lounging suite

that weirdly mixes Japanese and European styles.

Oh no.

What do we do?

Should we look it up online?

I think that could also be considered rude.

It's alright.

When eating or drinking,

just avoid making any sounds or movements

that could be taken as offensive.

Excuse me.

It is terribly unfortunate,

the owner of this villa no longer wishes to see you.

I must ask you to leave.

What?

Miss Izumi has made a mistake in her etiquette.

We have nothing to sell to those who are disrespectful.

I did?

Yes. When sitting at a table that is below your knees,

it is proper to drink with the saucer in hand,

but you put your finger through the handle.

This is considered unrefined.

Etiquette is either proper or improper.

There is no middle ground.

I must ask you to leave for today.

What?

I see.

So that's the end of it?

It's over before we even get to see the owner, huh?

Wait, Mr. Rohan.

Excuse me.

You just said "for today", isn't that right?

Does that mean that I could try again on another day, perhaps?

What?

If so, then please let me try again from the beginning.

You want another attempt at having good manners.

Is that what you just said?

Yes, if I could.

Come on. Let's just go home!

I can't gather any material from this.

Not a chance! I came all this way!

I'll do whatever I can!

I want this, no matter what.

Please!

Very well.

You may continue.

But if you do,

every time you make a mistake, something precious will be lost.

Yes, I understand.

-Hold on. -Okay, then.

You second attempt begins.

Hello? Taro?

I'm sort of in the middle of...

What?

What was that?

That can't be!

What happened?

Maron! Maron suddenly collapsed!

Taro, the hospital!

I'm on my way now.

I'll call a taxi.

But, at this rate...

Taro?

Taro!

Are you alright?

An ambulance! Someone call an ambulance!

Please, hurry!

Oh, no!

Get a hold of yourself, Izumi! What's happening?

Taro was hit!

The car came out of nowhere!

This can't be happening!

I told you earlier.

Every time you make a mistake,

you'll lose something precious.

Miss Izumi has made two mistakes,

so she loses two in reparation.

What's that?

The tea from earlier was her first.

The second was her cellular device.

When receiving a call, it is proper to first excuse oneself.

You may then rise from your seat and exit the room.

Taro! Maron!

I have to go.

-I have to go! -Wait!

It's improper to run like that!

"I'll keep my eyes shut for a while."

What is this?

Just this once,

I'll tell you, as that is mannerly.

This is a talent that I have been gifted with.

I can change a person's memories and soul

into a book for me to read.

I can only see this as a gift from heaven,

but this is what I call it:

Heaven's Door.

"I am the one who guides visitors from the gate."

"The one who conveys the mountain gods' will."

"When you enter this mountain,

those who lack etiquette and manners

shall lose one thing they hold precious."

"This is the rule of our holy land.

Will something be lost or gained?

That is the curse of the mountain gods.

Those who pay their respect to the land shall thrive,

while those who blunder lose one after another."

This is bad...

I guess it wasn't all just superstition.

This is where the gods of the mountain reside.

This is no place for those without perfect etiquette.

"Reading another's soul without receiving permission

is unrefined and is considered disrespectful."

Not good.

One mistake...

...will demand one thing in reparation.

I recommend that you be on your way.

I believe you mentioned that you were a manga artist.

If you go now, you could at least learn to use your left hand.

It may take a bit of training, though.

So, feel free.

Considering the situation we are in,

I would be willing to ignore any blunders on your way out.

Will you be leaving, then?

That's probably the smart thing to do.

But I refuse.

I see.

In other words...

Let's keep going.

Understood.

Please, enjoy the meal.

This corn...

How should it be eaten?

The corn is tightly packed together.

It's tricky,

but there is a way to remove them cleanly.

First, remove two rows, starting from the bottom.

Then, use all of my fingers to remove corn towards the center.

A knife could also be used.

But how to eat it...

Right now, this is my real problem.

Go ahead.

This is bad.

It's rude to leave a warm meal alone for too long.

Is something wrong?

Your second attempt has already begun,

so will not be permitted to stop now.

Mr. Rohan, you said you could stand before the royal family, right?

Kishibe Rohan,

refusing to eat your meal now would be considered improper.

Not at all.

I'll eat it.

Don't underestimate the Kishibe Rohan.

You're grasping it... with your hand?

I see.

But to do it with one hand...

Wait a moment.

Your foot placement...

Does that seem fine to you?

I was standing on the edge?

That's not possible!

How could this happen?

Is something the matter?

This has to be a trick!

That I would make such a huge blunder is just unthinkable!

What's this?

You made a mistake, didn't you?

Don't play dumb!

Isn't your master the one to pass judgement?

When eating corn,

I'm told grasping it by the hand is proper.

B-But it must be eaten properly with both hands!

About that...

There was this popular anecdote of the British royal family.

Do you know of it?

What?

At a dinner party sponsored by a certain queen,

one guest mistakenly drank water that was meant to wash his fingers.

A significant mistake in etiquette, to be sure.

But the queen, without a second thought,

drank that water in the same manner,

so as to not embarrass the guest.

What are you saying?

Well... I don't know if that's true or not,

but that's not the point.

What I'm saying is that the true essence of manners

lies in not causing others discomfort.

It's having sympathy for other people.

I can't really say that I see that in you.

Are implying that I am improper?

Oh!

"For every mistake...

...something shall be lost."

Isn't that right?

Huh?

How are you feeling?

Good.

You barely fit between the car and the telephone pole.

It's a miracle!

Here you go.

You tricked me!

This shall not go unpunished!

You debt to the mountain gods will be paid!

Oh, I don't think so.

I seem to be living wrath-free at the moment.

Just what I would expect.

The gods of etiquette are truly fair.

This can't be!

Those who are unrefined...

You are not the one who passes judgement!

Let me ask you this.

In all of the rules of proper etiquette,

what is the largest mistake one can make?

Do you know it?

It's pointing out when someone is being rude.

Kishibe Rohan.

Will you be trying again?

No.

I'm going home.

I don't plan on coming again.

Well, darn.

I was perfect until we got to that room.

I really messed up with the tea, huh?

What a shame!

"Make a mistake while drinking tea,

and be driven out.

Never again return to that village."

But I'm sure that would make for interesting material.

Mix in some fictional bits, and you've got a good story!

No, that material is no good.

What? But...

I said no.

Go home.

Right.

What if I wrote something like that

and one of my readers lived in that village?

That in itself would be quite improper.

If I'm going to pay my respect,

it's going to be to my readers.

Heads up! You got another one.

Whoa!

No way!

Kishibe Rohan.

Something is definitely off with him.

Taro...

Kusha... No, it's not here!

Kushagara!