Asumu
Please sit in a well-lit room, at a comfortable distance, when watching.
Hibiki is... a man who transforms into an Oni and saves people.
Since meeting this strange man,
something within me, Adachi Asumu, has begun to change.
One day, I saw Hibiki help someone.
Once again, I felt his strength.
By being near him, I somehow feel like I'm being tempered.
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Volume Twenty­Three
Summer of Training
Adachi.
Can you make it more crisp?
Okay.
You know, the whistle is pretty important.
Please put more feeling into it.
Okay!
Stop, stop!
That's no good!
Right?
I'm sorry... I guess my rhythm was off...
It's not the rhythm! You're not putting your back into it!
Okay.
Like this?
Not like that! You have a core, right?
With your core, go "ba-dum" more!
- Okay... - Got it? "Ba-dum"!
"Ba-dum", right?
Like this?
Yup.
It you put your feelings into it, your core naturally goes "ba-dum", right?
Yeah.
White
We're the first ones this year.
Sure makes one grateful!
Makes one grateful.
What nice paddy fields!
Summer
Have another bowl.
Thank you for the food!
So one appeared in the city?
How surprising!
Yeah. You know Ibuki?
Ah, the young man from that household?
He's the one who defeated it.
I see.
I guess...
this year sure is rough.
And soon the monsters will be really active.
You should train more and prepare.
We're here this year just for that.
There was one lady who was looking forward to you coming to train this time.
I was really surprised when I got the phone call.
But I'm glad she'll be out of the hospital soon.
Yeah.
Because she's strong.
Hey!
Yes?
You've just been eating everything all by yourself.
Why not talk with everyone a little and enjoy yourself?
It's just...
You seemed to be having fun talking to Mr. Iida, so I didn't want to interrupt.
You know that's not true.
You know that's wrong.
Let's chat.
Yeah...
"Yeah"?
Anyway, you're not training well, yet you're having a full serving...
Or rather, you've had six full servings!
There's no need to say that.
This isn't enough to satisfy your hunger.
Yeah. Well...
Satoshi.
His training's not sticking at all!
That's not true!
Isn't it? No matter how many times you say that, you won't fix it!
But...
drumming is outside of my area of expertise...
I don't like that excuse.
Hey. You eating again?
Now, now, now, now.
I still have plenty of food.
Thank you very much for the food!
Hibiki and Todoroki must be eating a complete breakfast at Mr. Iida's around now.
Yeah.
That reminds me.
Speaking of Mr. Iida, Satoshi contacted me...
Todoroki just keeps eating and eating, so he wants to send a bill for the food.
A bill? How much?
That's obviously a joke.
It's a joke.
What was that?! Don't surprise me like that!
- Sorry, sorry.
Well, speak of the devil.
Yes, this is Hinaka.
Ah, good morning.
It's Todoroki.
Ah, good morning!
How rare, you usually don't call my cell phone directly.
Really?
Yeah.
That's true.
Are you calling to report?
Yeah...
There's nothing strange going on.
That's good.
Right.
Ah! Umm...
how's it going with the taiko?
Ah, well... actually, about that...
I've been here three days, but...
Is the food good over at Mr. Iida's?
I had eleven helpings.
Really?
Yeah.
Oh no... that's... about that...
I'm doing my best to learn the basics of taiko...
but I think maybe it's time I gave up.
I see.
Then this time, be sure to ask Hibiki to show you again.
Hibiki — the best taiko Oni — is teaching you,
so don't hold him back or anything.
Trust Hibiki, and do your best.
Umm... but...
Do your best, Todoroki!
I don't hear a reply.
One more time, then.
Do your best, Todoroki!
Yes.
I'll do my best.
Okay, bye.
Ah, Hinaka!
Hop, hop, skip~
Hey, gramps.
Hello!
Looks delicious.
It's just a rice ball.
Not that.
I mean you look delicious, gramps!
What a tasty-looking old man.
Will you be our child's meal?
Good morning!
Morning!
I'm sorry I'm late.
How was morning practice?
Ah, well...
Oh yeah, tomorrow...
Ah! It's your actual performance.
Yeah. Sorry.
That reminds me, Hibiki says he wishes he could be there to see you, Asumu.
Yeah. He also said he'd looked forward to seeing Hitomi's cheering.
Oh, really?
So where is Hibiki?
Right now, he's training.
Todoroki's training with him this time.
Todoroki too? Then is Zanki with them?
Zanki is at Yoshino right now.
But... Todoroki fights with a guitar, right?
Yeah, but with the upcoming conditions,
Hibiki is training himself while teaching Todoroki to use the taiko drum too.
It seems like Hibiki wanted to use this chance to teach Todoroki.
By the way, Asumu.
Have you heard what happens when Hibiki finishes warming up for the summer?
No, what happens?
Training
You're late.
I'm sorry.
You sure are annoying me, Todoroki!
Um, Hibiki.
Can I have a moment?
What?
Well, this might sound strange coming from the new guy...
I'm really sorry, but I think I should stop doing your summer preparation practice.
Never mind the disclaimer.
I'm sorry.
But I just can't get into it.
Ah, no... I can't quite follow along.
I'm a guitar user.
No matter how much I practice the taiko, I can't compare to you or the others.
So I was thinking I should be using the time to practice the guitar more.
You might be right.
But y'know, you promised to accompany me this time.
So let's drum properly until the end.
Umm.
Why are you trying so hard to make me play the taiko?
It makes sense for you because it's your main weapon.
It doesn't matter if I can fight with it. So isn't that just an excuse?
Well, that may be true.
Hibiki!
Please tell me!
What reason is there for me to play the taiko?
Reason?
Reason, eh?
No real reason.
If there's no reason, then why have I been doing it this whole time—?!
Hey! Hey! Calm down! Calm down!
What are you doing?
You'll drown!
Come on, listen.
You're an Oni newbie, and I'm an Oni mentor.
Huh?
Got it?
Hibiki!
Big trouble!
Seems something has appeared in the neighboring village!
Looks like it's those guys.
Looks like it.
Even though they're early this year.
That's true. Half a month early.
Ahem...
I emailed the map over to Mr. Iida earlier.
Ah. Thank you for that.
Todoroki's working on it right now.
Also, there's something I want Kasumi to deliver...
What can that be?
Drumsticks and a Slaying Sound Drum...
I'd like her to bring a set for Todoroki to use.
For Todoroki?
I mean...
...the green ones Zanki used to use.
So they'd be in Midori's room, right?
Yeah.
Understood.
Okay.
Please take care of it.
Yep, later. Okay.
Two millet dumplings? Please wait a moment.
You're making a delivery?
I'm off.
Okay.
Take care!
Sorry, sorry.
Hinaka.
I'm seeing her off.
Asumu!
Yes?
A guest.
Hey.
Captain.
A hit?
Yeah.
Let's go.
Hey.
Yes?
Retsurai is useless against summer monsters.
Okay.
It's fine against the Douji and Hime...
but not the Makamou.
I played the drums in middle school,
so I know the whistle really doesn't compare.
But right now...
Tsuchida and Omori are playing the bass and snare drums.
I know how tough it is to not be doing what you hoped for.
But that's just how things are this year.
It's not like all the others are doing what they wanted.
Also... you joined up pretty late...
Right.
This is good.
Hello!
Looks delicious.
Want to eat some?
Ah, okay.
Thanks for the food.
Playing cute while making trouble!
Run!
Sorry! It's going to be a little dangerous around here.
Where'd they go?
Hibiki!
Over here!
Todoroki!
Uhh... what... is that?!
That's dangerous!
Todoroki!
Stop!
Summer of Training
It is as if you are wholly transparent
As if everything is passing through you
Is that not how it feels?
Boy! If you are going to journey...
Then you must have clear skies in your heart!
Hit the beat! Keep your beat!
Seek out the places that move your heart!
Hit the beat! Keep your beat!
Find what no one else can do!
That is your resonance!
It's already begun to multiply.
Todoroki, what's the reason you became a guitar Oni?
We'll call it a taiko festival.
Hibiki Crimson.
Volume Twenty­Four
Burning Crimson
Volume Twenty-Four: Burning Crimson.