Practicing?
Dutiful of you, but you're about to go on stage.
Not quite, Michael.
This is just out of habit.
In magic, what's important aren't the tricks or gimmicks,
but how you keep the audience from noticing them.
So I try to play with cards as much as I can to maintain my skills.
You've come a long way, Mr. Chouno.
You too, Michael. I don't think we have anything with doves planned today.
Well, I always have them ready just in case.
We don't need...
Mr. Chouno! It's almost time for—
What's with these doves?!
...doves or practice anymore.
Hey, Kusuo!
Amazin-goo!
You must've hit your head pretty hard.
Let me see it.
I did not!
You don't know about "amazin-goo"?
It's all the rage right now.
No. And I don't care.
Okay, are you ready?
Amazin-goo! See?
Go to work.
I'm talking about this!
He's a very popular magician on TV and in ads.
It's them!
Uryoku Chouno and Mr. Ike!
It's surprising you don't know them!
No wait, I mean it's amazin-goo!
You need to work on that.
I know that one too!
I've seen them too!
- Oh, those two idiots. - You're still here?
- Right? He says he doesn't know them. That's amazin-goo! - So, they've became that famous?
When I first met them, they were a struggling illusionist and his assistant.
I didn't expect them to become this big.
Life is full of surprises.
Kuu, you got a letter.
It's from Mr. Chouno.
A... Amazin-goo.
Dear Master. How are you doing?
I'll be performing my own magic show in your area.
I've made a mess for you in the past, but I'd like you to see how we're doing now.
I'm sure you'll see we're different from before.
- I dearly hope you'll come see my show. - The show will start very soon.
- I'm looking forward to seeing just how much progress he's made. - "Amazing!" Around the World.
Amazin-goo!
Huh, people liked it more than I expected.
- Oh? I don't see my assistant Michael. - I see. He used a gag to get their attention.
Hey, Michael! Come out already!
Apologies for my delay.
What took you so long?
It took a while to pick out the right chainsaw.
We don't use that sort of thing!
Oh, why not? How about we use just the upper half?
I'll be cut in two!
What have you got to lose?
Oh, nothing, just my life!
Now's my chance!
Amazin-goo!
- Amazin-goo! - Just what is he doing?
That's funny!
- Next up is... - This isn't really a magic show anymore.
A quick magic trick.
Baseball.
Wow, the ball is floating in mid-air!
Hey, you're sticking your thumb in it!
Amazin...
...goo!
- I see. They certainly have changed. - Amazin-goo!
Master, did you see our evolution?
We incorporated comedy into our magic show.
As you're well aware, we were constantly making mistakes.
But I noticed one day that when we messed up, people would laugh.
So we tried to combine that laughter with magic.
And we immediately exploded in popularity.
I couldn't become a first-class magician like you,
but we're satisfied with this.
That so? Good luck to you then.
Wait, Master!
This is for the best.
I already know what it is they're worried about.
Making people laugh by messing up...
You could say they're running from their dream of making it big in magic.
That's probably what's bothering them,
but they're worried over nothing.
Becoming successful comedians is just as worthy of an accomplishment.
It pisses me off!
Why do I have to be the warm-up act for a guy like that?!
He acts like such a big shot when he can't even do a decent trick!
Hey, who was that?
Oh, he's an acquaintance of theirs.
I think they called him Master.
Hey, you! You're little Chouno's master, are you?
Pretty impressive for a kid!
How about you show me a trick or two?
I'm not his master.
Here, how about the ball trick he's so good at?
Don't ignore me!
Show it to me!
Hey, wait!
What?
I-It stopped...
It's floating...
Why so surprised?
Didn't you want to see some magic?
This is just a magic trick too. No big deal.
- What's going on?! - Master!
Good grief. That was childish of me.
Master!
We're fired up now! We'll do our best!
Yeah, do your best to become first-class comedians.
We'll put our all into magic!
What?
I was moved by your splendid magic!
We want to become magicians like you after all, Master!
You guys don't have the talent.
- Please continue to give us your guidance! - You should just focus on comedy.
- I haven't seen your magic in a while, but... - Suit yourself. I guess you don't have the knack for that either.
...it was amazin-goo!
Good morning, Kokomi.
Oh, Chiyo. Long time no see.
What's this?
What? But we see each other every day.
Oh, you're right! What am I saying?
What's wrong?
No, nothing!
I should just keep my mouth shut, right?
Winter's here already, huh?
- Yeah, but it's not that cold this year, is it? - She already knows, right?
But if someone tells her, she might realize how bad it is.
What's wrong, Kokomi?
Huh? What? There's nothing wrong.
You sure? You're not acting like your usual self today.
- That's not true. - Should I tell her?
- Oh, are you stressing over love troubles? - She might not have noticed how much she's changed
- No? Did you put on weight then? - when she sees herself in the mirror every day.
Is this a self-deprecating joke?
Wait, this is a good chance to bring it up.
Um, what about you, Chiyo?
Chisato?! That hurts! Don't bite my arm!
- I'm sorry! I haven't eaten anything since yesterday. - I missed my opportunity to bring it up casually.
Either way, you can't just eat me.
Sorry. I mistook you for a pig walking on two legs.
That's way too blunt, Mera!
A pig?! Geez, lay off.
I'm a lively girl who's bursting at the seams!
Wait, what? Bursting?
Am I fat?
So she hadn't noticed...
It's nice to read outside once in a while.
- I have to do it. I have to do it. I have to do it. - Or so I thought.
Good grief. Guess my quiet time is over.
I'm gonna hide.
This voice belongs to Yumehara.
Who's that?!
That's Yumehara... right?
But what is going on?
The Yumehara I know doesn't breathe so heavily.
She doesn't fall like that, either.
It does look like her though. Just what happened?
What the hell is your problem, you bastard?!
Is it because my character is weak?!
You wanted to round out my character?! Don't do it literally!
- You already have Chisato as the glutton character! - It seems like excessive dieting is driving her crazy.
She finally calmed down.
I wonder why I can't seem to lose any weight...
Real mystery right there.
I started eating without thinking!
I thought I put them in the bag...
Why even bring them at all?
This isn't good!
Forget jogging! I'll do muscle training!
First, I'll do 30 sit-ups! No, 50!
Okay, time to start. Let's go!
I'm going now!
I'm starting right now! Okay, ready...
- In 4, 3, 2... No, maybe 10 seconds. - Even starting is a challenge, huh.
30 Minutes Later Okay! 10, 9...
Okay, I'm gonna start now! Ready, set...
She's just lying down.
- Oh no... My body is so heavy, I can't get up at all. - Good grief.
- Looks like her mind as well as her body has become slovenly. - Maybe a snack could give me a boost.
Oh, yeah. If I put some chips between my knees and do sit-ups...
That's doing more harm than good.
At this rate, Yumehara won't lose any weight.
I can tell this by looking into her mind.
- I wanna eat until I'm full... - It's full of nothing but food.
Good grief. I have no obligation to help her,
- but I can't just ignore this sight. - What's wrong with staying like this?
Yumehara!
Haven't you put on weight lately?
Kaidou?! No, it's not what you think!
I didn't put on weight. I just got big!
What? Huh? Was I hallucinating?
Hey, I sat up.
See, you could do it.
I know you like Kaidou, so I spoke to you with his voice via telepathy.
Oh, yeah. If Kaidou sees me like this...
When someone hears a voice while they're daydreaming,
they instinctively see who they hear in their head.
Yumehara, I don't like fat girls.
He'll hate me!
- I have to lose weight no matter what! - She'll probably do fine on her own now.
I got completely immersed in my book.
Time to head home.
I'll finish it at home.
What?
- 1,005... 1,006... - She's still at it?
1,006? I'm having a hard time buying it, but it seems like the real deal.
- 1,007... 1,008... - She's already lost quite a bit of weight, after all.
Kaidou's voice worked better than I thought.
- Yes, sir, I'll do it right away. - Your abs will explode.
Guess I'll have a look-see inside her mind.
Wh-What is this? Kaidou World?
- Hey! Don't slow down! - She's imagining that she's being watched by Kaidou?
I'm sorry!
At that pace, you'll be a pig forever.
- I can't stand pigs. Be gone! - Kaidou got an upgrade too.
I'm sorry!
Now, be reborn from a pig to a human!
Once you're human, I'll hold in my arms as long as you like.
- Who are you anymore? - More... Scold me more!
Scolding is useless if you start enjoying it.
Why don't you give up already?!
- It's time to eat! - This is terrible casting.
- Stop torturing yourself and eat already! - No! Stay away!
Don't let him tempt you!
Kaidou!
Hang in there, Chiyo!
Let's show him the power of our love!
- All right! I'm gonna do it! Yeah! - I guess it's fine as long as she's losing weight.
Several Days Later Wow, you've really slimmed down!
You're thinner than before!
You think so?
And she now has the strongest abs of any creature on Earth.
I lost weight with the power of love.
I'll use this momentum to confess to Kaidou!
Yumehara!
I have a favor to ask.
Yessir! Anything your heart desires!
Looks like she got upgraded from a pig to his servant.
The last match is against me.
Can you read my mind?
Did you do your homework?
- What's the next class again? Chemistry? - A ten-minute break between classes...
For normal people, it's a blissful respite from suffering.
For me, it's the worst period of the school day.
Saiki!
So, Kaidou's up first this time, huh?
This "Triangle Function" trapped me in a mental labyrinth all last class.
In order to complete this devil's proof, I'd like to inspect your brain.
First off, learn how to ask for help with studying.
Oh, I get it!
As you just saw, I get accosted by many pains in the neck during breaks.
Saiki!
Now it's...
Wanna play dodgeball?!
No thanks.
It's a fine day today! It'll be fun! Come on!
This isn't even lunch break. How much can do you do in ten minutes?
Saiki! Are you eating lunch early?
No. Go away.
Hey, Saiki. Wanna chat behind the school, on the roof, or on the stairs?
Why not here?
Hey, pal!
Pal! Hey, pal!
Don't come see me for no reason.
I hear the poor don't get much free time.
I was free, so I came to school.
Then study.
Someone's at the gate.
My show was filming in the area, so I snuck out to see Kokomi.
Yep, it's someone shady. I'll call the police.
Huh? This isn't my kindergarten. Where am I?
You came here literally ten years early.
I'd like some advice from Yumehara.
Then maybe you should go see her.
Saiki! Let me see this girl again!
I'm annoyed to see Toritsuka happy,
but it's not like he's causing trouble. I'll let him be.
When did you record that?
Saiki!
Teruhashi! Did you get what the teacher said earlier?
- Teruhashi! I bought some juice. Which one would you like? - Teruhashi! What's the weather like tomorrow?
She's having a hard time herself.
- Have you seen my bicycle key? It's on a green key chain. - Who are you? Go away.
Saiki!
I'm a teacher, so I'm a teacher, right?!
Don't get antsy over a recent lack of screen time.
Hi, Kusuo. How are you doing?
Oh, you're not there.
This is a stretch.
That's the AV room. No one is there right now.
Bring me some food.
You don't need to show too.
Saiki, come with me after school. It's hunting time.
I hear a shady individual has entered town.
Don't come back for round two!
Take your seats, everyone.
She appears so much in the anime, they made her look a little different?
Class is in session.
Good grief. I can finally take a break.
Well then, please solve this problem... Saiki.
I guess I can't relax in class, can I?
In any case, I've been noticing some odd behavior around me recently.
Hey, pal! Let's go home together.
The runt said he wants to talk about tomorrow.
What?!
You idiot!
Hey, that's not what we planned!
Huh? But it's my pal's...
Shut up! Let's go.
S-Sorry, Saiki!
We've got something to do with him today.
See ya, Saiki!
I know what's going on.
It's a new form of bullying.
Nendou seriously put me on edge.
He almost ruined our plan.
You almost ruined it too, Chiyo.
I let my guard down. I'll be more careful.
So where's Nendou?
I sent him home.
With how dumb he is, he won't be able to keep up.
That's for the best.
We've spent a week preparing for this.
We can't afford to fail.
Let's begin the strategy session...
...for Operation Surprise Saiki, which is finally happening tomorrow!
See? Mean-spirited bullying, through and through.
After school tomorrow, Aren and I will...
Let's go to my place!
Okay!
...lure Saiki to my house, the party's location.
We won't mention his birthday at all. And when we get there...
I'll get something to drink!
...Aren will lead him to the room.
Huh? It's pitch black in here.
When the time is right, Aren will set off a cracker.
And then we say...
Happy birthday!
Then I'll bring out the cake, completing the surprise!
I wonder what kind of face Saiki will make.
This kind of face.
Good grief, what a headache. What do I do?
Maybe he'll look like this?
- Should I take Yumehara's lead and act like a surprised idiot? - Oh, stop it, Chiyo!
No, he'll probably be at least this surprised, right?!
- Don't raise the bar. - That's funny!
No, he'll be this surprised!
- Isn't that too surprised? - What? That much?
Maybe he'll do this instead.
- He might! - How do you even do that?
But at any rate, I am kind of surprised.
I didn't realize you even knew Saiki's birthday, Kaidou.
Well, I saw his mom in town the other day.
She mentioned it then.
- Oh, Kuu's friend! - I see. It was Mom.
- For that alone, I feel really bad. - That's when I started this plan.
Saiki doesn't know we know his birthday,
so I bet he'll be real surprised!
Yeah, I am surprised.
You see, my birthday...
isn't tomorrow. It's in August.
So anyway, my birthday isn't tomorrow.
Kusuo Saiki (Born August 16th)
That's why I didn't try to stop the party until now.
I never thought this party was for me, as my birthday is in three months.
I was really surprised by that.
Kuniharu Saiki (Born May 13th) Tomorrow is the birthday of a middle-aged old man who has nothing to do with you guys.
Thank you very much!
I know about the surprise, and you got the day wrong.
Let's end this pointless charade.
If you realize tomorrow isn't my birthday, you'll cancel your plans, right?
All your work will be for naught, but don't take it personally.
By the way, did everyone get a present?
- I bought one, of course! - I got one too.
- I did too! - Yeah!
It's hard to break it to them.
But it's not too late yet.
Hairo, what'd you buy?
Oh, this?
I didn't buy this.
It's a wooden Buddha statue I carved.
I thought about Saiki with each cut I made.
It was my first time, so I made all sorts of mistakes.
- Whoa, that's amazing! You sure put your all into it! - It's hard to break it to him and I don't want it.
We put our all into ours too, didn't we?
Yep.
This is what his birthday cake will look like!
Kokomi and I are gonna make it!
What is this? It's creepy.
Really? That's amazing!
I think that's really good!
Amazing, sure, but it's still my severed head.
Oh no! If I were him, I'd definitely start crying!
He'll be sobbing!
Teruhashi's homemade cake?!
Because it's Teruhashi's homemade cake!
Hey, what about me?!
Fortunately, they haven't made it yet.
Now's my only chance to tell them.
But ours was no walk in the park, either.
What's that?
Hey, Mera, show it to them.
- Yeah, it was really a lot of work. - What did you two do?!
It's been a while, Master! Happy birthday!
- We got birthday wishes from everyone who knows Saiki. - A video letter? What are you guys doing?
- And so, happy birthday, Saitou! - That's the principal!
He got my name wrong, though.
The struggling musician from the early manga?!
He wasn't in the anime, so he doesn't have a voice.
- Hey, you're already seventeen, huh? - And who the heck are you?!
Saiki doesn't know many people.
- We had to convince them to participate in the video. - Why would I want to watch something like that?
Wow, it's great you guys did all that for him!
All I did was get him a present.
Exactly. Did I do anything to deserve all this?
This is well-meaning harassment.
Well, I suppose I did write him a letter.
- Wow! Read it, read it! - Hey, you did do something.
- What?! No, it's embarrassing! - Come on!
- I bet it's just some crap eighth-grader syndrome poem. - Let's hear it, Kaidou!
To Saiki.
It feels a bit awkward to write you a letter,
but I figured this was a good opportunity I shouldn't let pass.
With all the memories we share, it's hard to believe
it's only been half a year since we met at the start of the show.
You introduced me to everyone here.
"Introduced" sounds a bit strange,
but that's how I feel.
I don't know why,
but there are times when I feel like you're protecting me.
Thank you for being born.
Happy birthday. From Shun Kaidou.
What happened to you?!
That was really good, Shun!
I was so moved!
Good grief.
Oh, whatever. Do as you like.
The Next Day Day of the Birthday What?!
Saiki went home?!
- Yeah, even though he has cleaning duty today. - Crap, what do we do now?!
I never thought he'd skip out on cleaning duty!
Seriously?! Do we have to cancel?!
We can't let it end like this! We'll go with Plan Beta!
Plan Beta?!
Listen up. I'll explain one more time.
First, we'll ring the doorbell.
When Saiki answers it, we'll set off crackers all at once.
And he'll be really moved. That's the plan!
Yep, this is news to me.
What if someone else answers it?
We'll explain and ask to be let in!
Happy birthday, Saiki!
What?
Happy birthday!
What's this? What's going on?
It's your birthday, isn't it?
Uh, yeah, it is.
Surprise!
Are you surprised?
What?
You came to celebrate my birthday?
That's right!
Took you long enough to notice!
Good grief. That was a good reaction.
Needless to say, that's not me.
That's my father.
- I never thought you guys would celebrate my birthday. - Of course we would, Saiki!
- "Saiki"? Oh, okay. - I used hypnosis to make him look like me.
I didn't tell him about this beforehand,
- Who cares about the details? Thank you! - so his surprised reaction is perfect.
Now that the surprise is over, I'll go explain things to him.
Oh, they're doing it, huh?
Hey, pal!
Why are there two pals?
Surprise!
What the heck is...
Oh, it's just a mirror.
Hey, I heard it's your birthday today.
Oh, you came too, Nendou?
So he did show up.
Good thing he's stupid.
Can you defeat me?
Rock, paper, scissors!
It was a century too soon for you to beat me.
The surprise party that started last episode because of a misunderstanding...
is still happening.
Thank you so very much, guys. How he appears to others.
I'm touched that Kusuo's friends would celebrate my birthday.
I'm really touched...
Well, of course.
We're friends, aren't we? Happy birthday!
He's right, Saiki!
It's weird how they're not calling me Mr. Saiki, but I'm really happy!
Happy birthday!
- I've never seen these girls before, and yet they're here celebrating! - Happy birthday, Saiki!
Catch on already.
It's a matter of time before they suspect something.
By the way, Saiki...
Aren't your parents home now?
Not good. He mentioned it already.
My parents? They don't live here.
Really?
Yeah, my mother lives on her own,
- and my father is already dead. - What?! Your dad died?!
Hey, you're dead now.
We didn't know. We're sorry for making a racket.
Our condolences.
Oh, it was a long time ago. It's fine!
You sure got over it quick, Saiki.
Come upstairs.
Kusuo?
"Kusuo"?
Kusu... Ku...
Crap, crap!
That's right, I need to crap!
Don't twist someone's name into crap.
Oh, I see.
I-I thought that was what was going on. Things felt off.
You still accepted the whole thing.
The surprise is over now, so you'll switch back, right?
No, I want you to keep this up.
What?! I still have to do this?!
I can't pretend it's my birthday when it's not.
It's not like I can pretend to be you when I'm not, either!
I'm counting on you.
I can't respond to their goodwill the way they deserve.
Pretending to be Kusuo...
Good grief, sorry to keep you waiting.
- Whew, good grief. Good grief, sheesh. - I don't say "good grief" that much.
What's wrong?!
Well... We're really sorry we were so disrespectful when your dad died.
He's not dead!
He's not?!
It was a joke. I was getting back at you for the surprise.
Hey, you shouldn't joke about something like that.
I agree. That's a horrible thing to joke about.
- You're right. I'm sorry. - He meant no harm. Please forgive him.
Now, now, I think that's enough.
Look! We baked the cake!
It turned out really good!
Right! Especially his face!
Oh no...
We must've smashed it while carrying it.
It still has that birthday feel to it!
- Yeah, it looks very delicious! - Oh? What's this? Poop?
You shut your mouth!
I'll just make it again!
- Calm down, Yumehara! - Geez, fine.
Psychokinesis!
- Poop?! How does it look like poop?! - Please calm down!
Look! The cake is going back to how it was!
The sponge is rebounding!
Good grief.
Wow, this is amazing.
Right? Kokomi and I made it!
Yeah, I'm sure Kusuo's happy too.
"Kusuo"?
Ack! No, I mean...
K-Kusuo too... Kusuo is happy!
- In Kusuo's perspective, it's super moving. - Now he's a pathetic guy who addresses himself in the third person.
You shouldn't feel moved just yet!
We prepared a surprise of our own.
- A video letter, right? - Ta-da! Believe it or not, it's a video—
Looks like it broke.
Sorry, Saiki.
Go ahead and punch me.
You don't have to settle it.
You guys too! Punch me!
- We don't have to go that far! - Then hit me too!
- Then I'll do it. - Good grief.
- If we didn't have the sunflower seeds back then, we both might've died. - Hey, look. It's playing.
Huh? Maybe it's fixed.
Okay, please watch, Saiki!
Good grief. And I still don't know who that is.
All right, raise your glasses! It's time for a wild party!
There you are!
I'm so popular, I don't know what to do.
Good for you.
I had high school girls feeding me too.
Though high school boys made you kneel on the floor.
Do you wanna switch now?
No thanks. Go back already.
If I go, I'll just bring the mood down.
And so what?
Go join them, Kusuo.
You appreciate them too, right?
You had me take your place
so you wouldn't hurt their feelings, right?
But you've got it wrong.
They all came for you.
Even if you do hurt their feelings,
you should go.
Don't give me advice like you're my father.
I am your father!
This was a huge success!
Saiki looked really happy.
I've never seen him so keyed up before!
- Yeah, he's more upbeat than usual today. - Now, how do I send them home?
But something feels off.
You're right.
It's fun, but it's throwing me off.
Yeah. He seems kinda distant despite his mood.
I think I get what you mean.
What if he's forcing himself to go along with us?
What? I hope not.
He can just be his usual self.
Good grief. "Thrown off" is what I want to say.
What took you so long, pal?
Let's continue the party.
Good grief. My disastrous life in the anime is now over.
What? A sequel?!
No, no, no. This is news to me.
I've had enough of getting dragged around.
But, I suppose it's not so bad.
That's it for The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
See you next time.