Gangs of Tofu Street

Bankruptcy, bankruptcy!!

We're in the red!!!

BANKRUPTCY!!!

It's really over this timeeee!

Why the sudden panic now? This happens all the time.

Now that's a great shout. Yeah. True rock spirit.

That's why I told you last week...

What?!

Eek! ...

A .ny .way!

At this rate, we're definitely going under! We're all going to end up on the streets!

Isn't that how it always is?

No, it's not! Are you trying to make me repeat myself?!

I'm saying we need to come up with a plan, a plan!

A plan...

Should we start collecting cardboard boxes ahead of time?

Oh, if you need those, I saw some at the Panoticon recycling center.

Personally, I find appliance cardboard boxes the most comfortable because they're nice and thick.

No, no, no! I'm saying we can solve this if we just have a plan! Why are you all assuming we're getting evicted!

Suji, what's the opposite of being in the red?

Um... being in the black?

Exactly! You're definitely the brain of our team!

(Should I really be praised for something like this...?)

In other words! The deficit... just needs to be covered by making a profit!

Oh... (claps)

Oh... (claps)

...

Um... excuse me...

Yes? What is it? Speak up.

How... are we going to make a profit...?

Huh...? W-Well... we can just make money, right?

Then... why are we in the red in the first place...?

U-Um... because we spent too much?

...

Uh-oh, she's mad.

A raging storm, thunder clashing with lightning. That's a nice vibrato.

Ah, ahaha...

Hold on! Suji, stop looking at me like that! I get it already!

Mmm... was the new tofu press we bought last week the problem?

...Then the cauldron we bought the week before that?

...The mixer we bought a month ago?

...

Then what on earth is it?!

...

All of those are part of it, but...

...Do you remember... the Panoticon... last week?

...Ah.

We tried to pioneer a new market and failed.

If it had worked out, we would've successfully dominated the Panoticon market.

These are the losses we took because former inmates have been avoiding our shop ever since...

Oh...

Eeeeek?!

Let me see, let me see.

Just how much...

H-Heeeeeeeeeek?!?! Kasa & Rona

Fufufu...

I was a bit surprised to hear that the Panoticon was attacked, but...

This actually gives us a chance to spend some cash and redraw the board.

Once the storm passes, the chaff is bound to be swept away.

Let's use this opportunity to clean them all out.

For the true peace of Tofu Street...

Oooohhohohoho!

Oh, Boss. What are you doing in the dark?

Turn on the lights before you ruin your eyes. Whatever it is you're doing.

Hey! I was right in the middle of a good moment!

Oh, is that so? Sorry to interrupt!

Let me know when you're done doing your "thing"!

No, I didn't mean it like that!

Sigh...

Once we succeed, the first thing I'm doing is replacing those idiots.

E-Excuse me...

That thing you're holding... it's not a free sample...

W-We don't do tabs here...

Between... us? W-What kind of relationship... do we have...?

...That doesn't sound helpful at all...

M-More importantly, please stop eating without paying. This is tofu we need to sell.

If we don't boost our sales somehow, the Tofu Troupe will go bankrupt...

Actually...

So... we're in a tough spot if we don't increase our sales... We can barely even pay the interest right now...

...

...You still need to pay. For the tofu.

Th-This time, I'm not letting you get away with it!

Victoria told me that if anyone tries to eat without paying this time, I have to get the money from them by any means necessary!

I-In that case...

Y-You'll have to pay with your body!!

N-No, I'm not! I would never think about...

Well, maybe a little bit...

A-Anyway! No free rides!

*Huff*, *puff*... *sigh*...

Hyaa...!

Th-There! Right there!

Yes! Th-There! Deep inside... Please put it in...

Th-Thank you for your hard work...

Yes... that's all the tofu organizing for the fridge today.

I know... It's gotten especially worse ever since that new franchise tofu shop opened up at the end of the street.

The taste isn't bad, and their prices are incredibly cheap...

A-Anyway, we should probably start...

Eek...?!

S-Sorry. I'll step back, so please give me a second...

No, I asked you to step back...

Hey, hey... Don't you know this is the Protein Tofu Alliance's turf? We paid a fair price to rent this spot.

What are you Mapo Tofu Clan bastards doing hanging around here...? Your turf is two blocks down.

What did you say?! You bastards... Are you looking down on protein right now??

Exactly! All you do is stuff cheap capsaicin into your tofu! Where did your sense of nutrition and health go?!

Take that back right now!

Huh?! Who's teaching who?!

The sin of insulting our tofu... We'll carve it into every single one of your muscles!

Watch out! A turf war has broken out between the shops!

Ah... To cover the losses from the last Panoticon incident... we borrowed money using our rights to some areas as collateral...

But now that we're out of the picture, it seems a dispute arose over the contract for that area.

A-Anyway... they'll figure it out amongst themselves, so let's back away...

Y-Yes... Wait, what?! Hold on!

...The tofu... The tofu...

DIE!!!

Aaaaah! Die! Everyone die!

Hey! We've been waiting forever, why aren't you back... Wait, what?

Kyaaa! Our tofu that we spent all night making!!!!

Our tofu, made with pesticide-free organic beans entirely by hand!!

Mmh. Nice shout. Good marketing.

Except we have nothing left to sell!!!

You're all dead meat today☆!

Heh... I've been so stressed out since the Panoticon incident anyway... Why don't we have some real fun today?!

Today, we play death metal!!!

Shoot, I didn't even get to give those punks a proper taste of our bullets yet!

I can't believe the Donut House intervened there... Why are they only fast at times like this?!

Well, someone must have called it in fast. Not that I mind a Panoticon encore, though...

Ugh... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...

That brat Marcia, rushing in all excited just to boost her performance rating... Ugh, she's so annoying.

Normally they don't show up with their sirens blaring until everything is already over. They were pretty quick today, huh?

It ended before we could even reach the climax this time...

The other side got let off with a warning... Why only us? They're the ones who started the fight...

Of course, we did completely annihilate☆ those guys who picked a fight with us! Ahaha☆

Oh, come on, we're practically one and the same mind and body by now! You can at least share that much with us!

But it really was strange. Normally, no one is stupid enough to pick a fight with us.

A grudge? Oh, please. There's no way anyone would hold a grudge against a beautiful young president who runs her business as ethically and honestly as me...

...Right?

Well, if it's Victoria, she probably has a whole truckload of people holding grudges against her.

Ah, ahaha☆ It was purely business, B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S!

What bothers me more is that there were guys willing to pick a fight with us, even if it was a turf we already gave up.

They weren't the type who didn't know what happens when they mess with the Tofu Troupe.

Maybe they're just idiots who can't learn unless they get beaten up on a regular basis.

Business is a wild jungle. In this world, it's eat or be eaten.

That's why we need marketing...

With your marketing, instead of eating the market, I think we'd end up throwing it all right back up.

You want a piece of me, you bastard?!

Ugh, but this is a serious problem... Sales were already bad, and now even the tofu stock we had left is completely ruined.

At this rate, the Tofu Troupe is going bankrupt for real! It's like, "Goodbye everyone!☆"

Oh? What's this? Sounds like a compliment, but... feels a bit off?

Wh-Where... do you think... you're going...?

No... I can't let you go like this...

...The tofu money.

You still haven't paid for the tofu.

No, not that...

You need to pay... for the ruined tofu.

But , if you hadn't opened the fridge door...

Exactly! Our fridge is made of alloy to withstand turf wars! Which means the one who provided the cause might also be held responsible!

The tofu was all smashed... If only the door had been kept closed...

If only we had finished organizing a bit faster... If only someone hadn't eaten without paying...

...I can't forgive you.

Hmmm, what should we do?

Hey, hey... If you want to make a deal, make us an offer.

Nothing in this world is free. Pay to leave... or rather, pay to live.

Come to think of it, someone was trying to sneak away earlier, weren't they? Mmm?

Oh , ... just a second ago you were trying to play dumb, and now you're begging for help!

Tell us... ... what exactly are we to you?

See? You can't even answer.

Then we have nothing to say to you either. Good luck! Make sure you pay Suji back for the tofu.

Oh, right, you were totally broke too, weren't you? Well, then you'll just have to pay with your body again! Ahaha☆

...!!!

Oh? You think you can settle this with just a few words?

And that's exactly why we're in the red.

Hmmm...

Well, alright! What are friends for, after all!

Suji, let him go now.

It's okay, Suji. We can always make more tofu and earn more money.

But... the tofu...

The tofu we all made together...

Rona worked so hard to grow the organic beans to make it... and Kasa stayed up all night performing and singing on the streets for marketing...

And Victoria, you worked so hard making the tofu yourself and finding buyers for it...!

...Silly.

Huh?!

You silly, silly girl. Were you really worrying about all that?

Ahaha☆ Suji is such a silly girl!

Whew, we've been working together for quite a while, but she still has her cute moments.

That's Suji's charm. Haha!

H-Hng... Wh-Why are you all petting me...?

Uh-uh.

Sorry, but squishy Suji time is strictly for the Tofu Troupe!

Fu-fu. If you want to be true friends, we need to get a little closer first!

Isn't that obvious?

You have to prove that you're useful to the Tofu Troupe!

Um... why is the combined total for the three of them only 30...? They aren't that bad...!

By the way, the tofu here in the Panoticon lacks firmness. Are they using cheap stuff?

Haaah?! They take our tofu and don't pay?! From that point on, it's a deal written in blood!

...Please at least bump them up to 40.

...Here...

...

Oh, u-um...

Please lie still. You fainted backward and hit your head...

That's just my lap, actually... Your scalp was slightly grazed, but I used a healing bullet, so you should be fine...

Oh... Yes... Thank you...?

More importantly, could you please get up now...? My legs are falling asleep...

...Whew. Now I can finally stretch my legs...

...How very sudden.

Pulling... the strings?! Who?

I-I see...

Oh, we've made plenty of enemies! Enough to hold a clearance sale.

That hurts! You were only knocked out for an hour or two anyway.

While waiting for Suji to nurse you back to health, we cleaned up the wrecked shop a bit.

Well, the Tofu Troupe might not dispense favors, but we sure dispense grudges.

Grudges for sale! Never repaid!

Turf war?

That's...

Aha☆ Not to brag, but totally!

We're not easy targets.

Ohhh, is the great detective finally making his entrance?

... Everyone

Hmm, I don't know. We've fought so many people lately. Fights break out almost daily on Tofu Street.

U-Um...

Nothing really stands out. Our marketing was perfect, too.

Except for the part where we got reported for noise pollution!

Look who's talking! You got reported for operating illegally.

Do you have any idea how much we had to pay in damages for smashing all those doors?

With all those damages combined, we could have bought the Panoticon!

What?! You wanna go right now?!

Bring it on!!

U-Um...

Well, the price of tofu did drop recently, so we took a loss.

But we're merchants through and through. We always honor our contracts.

I... just thought of something...

E-Excuse me!!

!?

That person... might know...

Yes... You've probably heard of them...

The Demon of the Panoticon...

The Panoticon's...

Devil...?

Who is that? Everyone

Uh... Seriously... you don't know? They're pretty famous on Tofu Street...

Living in the shadows of Tofu Street... Like a legend of the underworld...

Nope, never heard of them!

First time hearing it.

Who's that?

No... I-It's true...! They're really famous...!

Eh? We weren't listening. Rona & Kasa

N-No, that's not it...! They really exist...! Really...!

Huh?

W-Well...

I found out about them when I first met these guys...

Victoria, do you remember? Back when we were still attending Mise en Place...

Y-Yes?

A flashback scene? U-Um, well, it is a memory...

O-Okay... I'll try to keep it as short as possible...

Ah, you cannot graduate.

...What?

Wait, wait, wait... what do you mean by that?

Surely my final exam grades were at the very top?

Yes, that is correct...

Same here. Even if my grades weren't... my sales and business performance results were definitely number one.

Yes, that is also correct.

Number one in popularity. Peace! Top star!

W-Well, that is also true, but...

Then what's the problem?! Not graduating... Fame, honor, and wealth are waiting for us in our future!

I can't stay here for another second! In fact, I cannot accept the fact that I can't graduate!!

Ah... well... all three of you are fully qualified.

But your scores... you have so many demerits that you don't have enough graduation points.

...Demerits?

Yes.

What? My sales pitch was perfect. And my ingredient selection was perfect too.

There shouldn't be any demerits in my business—

Exactly. My music is solely determined by the spirit of the audience.

Well... there's no problem with that part...

Victoria?

Yep!

Causing a fire while cooking: 3 times.

Damaging kitchen utensils: 5 times.

What? Anyone does that—

Assaulting customers and forced sales: 67 times.

In addition, terrorism against ingredient monopolies and vigilante justice against cartels: 19 times... Is that correct?

Ahhhhh...

Well, you see. Let's just say there were circumstances...

Let's say developing new tofu dishes requires some sacrifices, sort of...

Ah, ahaha☆

And... Rona?

Yes!

Rona...

You have never submitted any dishes.

I am merely a sales representative, after all.

Securing fresh ingredients and supplying them to the right places—

Excuse me... but we are a culinary school...

...W-Was that so...?

And... Kasa?

Yeah.

Kasa...

The food was good, the service was good, everything was great...

Fufu.

Victoria, Rona. Goodbye... I enjoyed being with you guys. I'll go ahead and wait for you in the wider world.

My heart will always be with you—

But we received reports for noise pollution and illegal performances. Over a hundred times, in fact...

...

And they say you focus more on the performance than the food... You even sang to an empty plate for three hours straight.

...Because my song is the side dish?

Overall results...

All three of you failed to meet the required score.

Therefore—

You cannot graduate.

Ugh, does this make any sense?!

The criteria themselves are clear... but I can't accept this.

Well, at least we got another chance, if that's any consolation.

Well... the school does provide opportunities to make up for the missing scores.

If you cook and achieve a certain amount of sales, we will grant you performance points for that alone.

However, the deadline is tomorrow... so it will probably be difficult, right?

There's no way you guys can do it. You daily freeloading, troublemaking parasites! Ohohohoho!

...Is what she must have said!

Hey, you made up that last part.

But it might not be far from what she was actually thinking.

That's why...

Let's show them what we've got!

Alright!

...But with what?

Uh... I actually haven't thought about that.

Sigh.

Well, as long as we reach the target sales, right? Then...

We can just cook a ton and sell a ton, right?

Well, that's true. So what are we going to sell?

Tofu, of course! Did you think I'd sell anything other than tofu?

I figured as much. After all, you are the best Tofu Meister in Mise en Place.

But... where are we going to sell it?

Hmmm...

Location is key in business. Somewhere with a lot of people if possible...

But rent is expensive overall in Humanitas.

...With our budget, we won't be able to get a decent place.

Heh...

Why?

...?

To catch a tiger, you have to enter the tiger's den.

To catch a whale, you have to go out to sea, right?

Why tigers all of a sudden...?

That obviously means... if you want to sell tofu, you have to go where tofu is wanted.

Both of you already know, don't you? Where they buy the most tofu in Humanitas.

No way...

Hmm...

Yes! Right in front of the Panoticon... We're going to Tofu Street!

...I can't really agree to that. The competition there is insane, you know?

That place is a lawless zone— I heard it's teeming with wild tofu freaks.

I know that. But... is there any other way?

...No.

...Me neither.

Alright, it's decided then! Surely neither of you wants to repeat a year at Mise en Place?

Whew. No choice then.

Since we're already on board... till the very end Rock 'n' roll.

Alright! Then... Let's go!

Tofu... please buy some... Tofu... please buy some...

Hmm? What's with this tofu? It looks so poorly made...

Ah, ah... please don't touch the tofu like that!

What? We're customers. Shouldn't we be able to see if the product is good before we buy it?

B-But... ...Whew, why did I end up like this...

(I've always been like this... indecisive, never knowing what to do...)

(I don't even care about tofu in the first place... I was forced to take on the seniors' healthy tofu project too...)

(Why did I take this on...)

Oh, this spot is perfect. It's right in front of the Panoticon, right?

Ah, u-um...

This is my spot...

Oh? Really?

Yes. S-Sorry...

No, don't worry! We're the ones who came late.

But... I really like this spot... Hmm...

Hey, are you selling tofu too by any chance?

What?! Y-Yes... I am...

Then how about we form a united front here?

A united front...?

Yeah! We're going to sell a ton of tofu here. Since we're doing it anyway, it would be great to sell your tofu together too, right?

Ah... I-I hadn't really thought about that...

Well, the sales specialist is here—look forward to it.

Should I promote it for free? Directly from bean to tofu! Fufu.

But... we don't even know each other...

What? You're worrying about that?

Then we're friends starting from now!

...Huh?

Ahahat☆ If we become friends starting now, it's all good! Then we're not strangers anymore, right?

Th-That...

(...What's with these people...?)

Huh? Hmm? Hmmm?

(Somehow... I don't hate it...)

O-Okay... let's sell them together then.

Awesome! Then, 'The Great Tofu Troupe'! Let's start the business with our new friend!

(Amazing... they've almost sold all the tofu already.)

Ah! You, you just got released, right?! Take this tofu!!!

(...Though they're mostly forcing it on newly released ex-convicts...)

Huh?! You don't have money for tofu? No worries! Just give us your address and phone number, and we'll come collect it later!

Hello! We are 'The Great Tofu Troupe'!!

Our theme song for today is 'The Ensemble of Tofu, You, and Me', a song about tofu's love!!

Please show our new song lots of love!! Oh, and buy lots of tofu too!!

(...Amazing)

(Can I... be like them too...?)

Yahoo☆ Did we sell almost everything?

Ah! Yes... thanks to you guys.

Heheh, what are you talking about? You worked hard selling them too.

Especially the way you handled the tofu...

It's like you're cradling a baby... Or like a mother bird sheltering something precious...

Your passion for tofu really reached my heart!

Yes... (Actually, I was just worried I'd have to pay for the tofu if it went bad...)

Anyway, you saved our skins! With this, our graduation is... Huh?

Hey! I'm the one who bought some tofu from you earlier... And it's a total mess!

Exactly! The taste is awful, and the smell is... weird! How dare you charge money for this!

...Who are you guys? Why are you picking a fight with my friend all of a sudden?

Ah... You're the ones... who bought the tofu earlier...

But I made sure there was nothing wrong with the tofu before selling it...

What? Are you saying... we're making this up?

This is a perfectly legitimate complaint! A. Com. Plaint!

You expect to get paid after selling garbage tofu like this?!

...Wait a minute.

Wh-What?

Excuse me, but this tofu...

...is not a type of tofu we sell at our shop.

Ooh!

Wh-Wh-Wh-What!? No way... We definitely bought it here!

No, this is definitely not tofu from our shop.

We only sell 100% organic firm tofu here.

The one you brought is GMO tofu... The shop across the street sells those.

What!? How do you...

Cut the crap! How can you tell just by looking at it?!

Y-Yeah! Screw this! I'm done!

Ah... But you didn't have to throw it on the ground...!

...

The tofu...

Throwing away... tofu?

Y-Yeah! I threw it, so what?!

Trying to feed us this garbage soft tofu... Don't think you can get away with a cheap settlement!

Exactly! Compensate us! Compensate us! We can't even look at tofu because of you, so pay for all the tofu we'll miss out on for the rest of our lives!

Th-That's completely unreasonable...

Heh... Besides, we've got connections with the cartel in this district.

Looks like you guys are doing business here without even paying protection money...

If you want to keep selling here peacefully... you know the drill, right?

H-Haa...

Ahaha☆

You know, guys...

Huh?!

You guys made three big mistakes.

Three... mistakes?

Yep!

First...

What you threw wasn't soft tofu, it's silken tofu. Soft tofu has a much softer, cloud-like texture.

Wh-Why does that even matter...

And!

Munch, munch... This tastes perfectly fine. It might be GMO, but... it's definitely not garbage. It's perfectly good tofu.

Y-You actually ate that...?

And you dared to throw it on the ground right in front of me?

The only time you're allowed to throw tofu is at someone who just got released from prison!

Um... I don't think you should throw it at people who just got out of prison either...

What are you talking about?! It's my tofu! I can throw it on the ground or launch it into space if I want to!

Yeah! Why should we listen to you...

And finally!!

...You dared to mess with my friend?

Listen up... I don't tolerate people being rude to me, but...

But I absolutely cannot stand anyone being rude to my friend!!

...?! Wh-What are you talking about!

Our boss has no mercy for anyone who messes with one of our 'members'.

The vendetta must be upheld... No matter the cost. Hehe.

...?!

D-Don't make me laugh! If you guys had just sold proper tofu in the first place...

Yeah... look...

I'm not asking nicely, okay?

You seem pretty unhappy with our product, so I'll give you a refund.

O-Oh... Y-Yeah. If you just refund us...

But!

The refund will be paid in bullets!☆

!? H-Hieeeek!?

... Everyone

Man... I didn't think we'd get caught so fast.

Our math was off.

Yeah. The finale was a bit over-the-top.

E-Excuse me...

I'm so sorry, it's all my fault...

Huh? No, it's not your fault! Those guys started it.

How dare they treat tofu like that right in front of me? They deserved what they got!

Tofu?

Yep! Tofu. Because I'm the one and only Tofu Meister in the world!

...Well, as far as I know, anyway!

I see...

And... we're friends, right?

...F-Friends?

Yeah! I'll never forgive anyone who messes with my friend!

...Friends... But we haven't even introduced ourselves to each other yet...

What are you talking about! We already exchanged names when we took the Prison Four-Cut photos.

Well, not to each other's faces, but still!☆

Ah...

Sigh... But now that things have turned out like this, I might have to throw in the towel as a meister.

...! Why is that...?

She's right. The deadline is tomorrow.

Considering our release time tomorrow... It'll probably be impossible to reach our goal.

Ahaha☆ Actually, we came here to graduate from Mise en Place.

We were supposed to get graduation credits if we hit a certain sales goal... But being locked up in the Panoticon makes that pretty much impossible.

Since we can't make tofu in here.

Th-That's...!

You can't give up...! There must be a way!

Fufu... Are you worried about me? It's fine! Just because we can't graduate from Mise en Place doesn't mean my passion for tofu will change.

I have no regrets. We got to teach those tofu-insulting punks a lesson.

But... that's... that's...

(If only I had handled things properly...)

(If only I had dealt with those customers better...)

...Ugh!

Oh, wait!? Hey! Where are you going all of a sudden?!

Haa... haa...

I ran away... again.

I'm... always like this. In medical school... and even here... I always just run away...

Today, too, if only I had done a little better...

(Fr... iends...)

(Because of me... the people who trusted me end up getting hurt.)

(I don't... want that to happen!)

(But where... am I? It's not even night, but it's so dark... and different from the Panoticon from earlier.)

Heh, I'm surprised someone actually made it all the way down here.

...!? H-Hieeeek...!?

P-Please don't eat me, I don't taste good at all...!

What? Who said anything about eating you?

I was just curious to see what kind of person would make it all the way down here.

Ah, u-um... I...

Oh, were you... crying?

I-I'm sorry...

Fufu, why are you apologizing? You're the one crying.

Hmh...

...I can smell it.

Wh-What?! But I-I definitely showered after entering the Panoticon...

Ahaha! What an amusing girl. That's not the smell I'm talking about.

...You're filled with regret, aren't you?

...! H-How did you...

I have my ways. When you live down here in the dark long enough... there are things you just start to notice.

Tell me, what brought you all the way down here? What made you shed those tears?

That's...

I can't really tell something like that to a stranger...

Well, that's fair.

Mmm, fair enough. Then how about this?

...?

I'm the devil living in the shadows of the Panoticon.

I devour grief, and inhale sorrow and greed...

And I grant people's desires, taking their souls in return.

Now... what do you think?

Um...

I think you're a bit too old to be acting like an edgy teenager.

Ha!? Hey... you're more savage than I thought.

No wonder you smelled like a 'kindred spirit'.

Kindred spirit...?

Yeah. Deep inside you... in that hidden place...

I get this deep... damp... dark cave-like vibe...

A cave...?

... Everyone

...Sigh, never mind. Forget it.

Anyway!!

Eep!?

Since I'm in a good mood today, I'll give you a chance to make a 'deal' with me. What do you say? This isn't an opportunity you get every day.

A deal...?

Yeah. I happened to be very bored and restless down here anyway.

Seeing as I'm stuck here and can't leave anytime soon.

What do you mean by...

My story doesn't matter. What matters... is you.

...What is it that you want? Speak. If it's within my power, I'll grant it.

What... I want...?

Your yearning, your wish. Your very own drive, buried deep in your heart.

My... drive...

Yes... crying, regretting... it means you have a drive to achieve something.

If you're willing to pay the price for that drive, I'll lend you my strength.

Do you... know what I want?

Friends.

...!

They're your first ones, aren't they?

How do you...

Fufufu...

I told you, I'm the devil.

So, are you in, or are you out?

The devil never forces anyone. We only... ask for a choice.

I-I...

Ugh, where on earth did she go?!

Suji! Where are you?!

In here?

Or in here?

Seriously, why would she be in a trash can? Use your head.

She's definitely still inside the Panoticon...

Whew... why did she run out like that? I thought she just went to the restroom. Did I say something wrong?

You didn't really say anything out of line.

But a maiden's heart is a fragile thing. Fufu.

Hey, I'm a... I mean, we're maidens too, you know!

Anyway, let's hurry and find her. I'm getting worried...

If the maids find her—especially the Head Maid—there's no telling what'll happen.

I heard screams echo from the Head Maid's punishment chamber every single day...

You mean those terrifying screams like, 'Ahhn♡ Haahn♡ Haa-haa♥'?

Uh... I don't think those are actually screams...

Ah! There she is!

Suji, where did you go? We've been looking all over for you!

Did I say something wrong earlier? If I did, I'm really sorry!

...found it.

What was that?

...I found a way for you guys to graduate!

Wh-What?! Everyone

H-How? Even if we get out tomorrow, if we don't make the tofu today, we won't have anything to sell.

It takes over six hours to make tofu, so trying to make it after we're released... we'll run out of time.

...If we make it tomorrow, yes.

But what if we can make it today?

!?

Is that... even possible?

It is! This is the Panoticon, the largest correctional facility in Humanitas...

The kitchen here should have most of the tools and ingredients.

You mean...

...Wow...

Suji. Does that mean...

You're saying we should 'borrow' the Panoticon's kitchen?

Still, we'd need special ingredients to make top-tier tofu... Unless we have the soybeans Rona grew...

...My beans are probably in the Mise en Place warehouse. There's no way we can get them now—

I've... actually taken care of that too. I found a courier...

Though, it's not exactly an... official... channel...

...?! Seriously?? How?!!

Let's just say I have a good mentor. Ahaha...

...Are you sure? It sounds a bit suspicious.

This is really okay, right...?

Ahaha☆ What does it matter?! We just have to make sure we repay them properly later!

But if things go wrong, we might be locked up for another day... Or we could just wait until tomorrow and...

Hey! What are you talking about? Our friend went through all this trouble for us!

Trust is everything in business. Since you believed in us, we have to believe in you too.

I can feel the rock spirit in your courage! That kind of passion never lies!

If it's okay, I-I...

with you guys...

want to be with you...!

...And that's how we ended up making tofu in the Panoticon...

Victoria, Rona, and Kasa all managed to graduate safely...

And as for me, I became the apprentice of the devil—I mean, that person...

U-Um... are you listening?

P-Please wake up...! I'm telling you something really important!

Hng... Wh-Where are you touching me? Please wake up now...

Suji, move aside. In times like this...

Ahaha☆ Are you awake? , you're such a sleepyhead!

That service is for VVIPs only!

And I know you're already awake, so get up already!☆

Ah...! Y-Yes.

In the security zone, at the very back of the Panoticon.

Just a moment...

Yes... Master. We've arrived. We'll be there soon... Yes, yes.

No... we don't seem to have been spotted.

We'll follow the route you mentioned. Thank you, Master.

...This is the patrol zone.

The maids will be passing by in just a moment.

Oh!

How do you know this?

Ah... I looked into the Panoticon's security system beforehand.

Because I needed to.

Ahaha☆ Suji, it looks like you've been up to way more suspicious stuff than we thought!

...To think I'm only realizing this now. I still have a long way to go.

A tofu seller by day, and the shadow boss of the streets by night?

N-No, that's not it! I only did it because my Master told me to...

...Ah! Once we go through this door, we'll be right...

...She's not budging. Must be a guard.

No choice then. Wait here for a second...

...You briefly took over the Panoticon, didn't you, ? Did you... happen to see the budget back then?

...!?

Did you take her down...?!

I-It's okay. I just smacked her with a bag of tofu...

Well, you see... in an emergency... it can be used like this.

...I feel like I've just discovered a brand new use for tofu.

D-Don't try this unless you're a professional...

...They'll get up soon, so let's hurry past.

And this is...

Hmm... You're a bit late.

!?

Nice to meet you, Tofu Troupe. And .

Of course I do. The leader of M.A.D., Conqueror of Panoticon. ...And the exhibitionist who got arrested naked on the street.

Fufu... Well, it doesn't matter to me.

Call me Bobcat.

A forgotten shadow living in the darkness of the world... something like that, I guess.

Fufu, I can be either, depending on the situation.

Master is... deeply involved with Tofu Street.

She's currently serving a long-term sentence in the Panoticon due to a certain incident...

Well, as you know, long-term imprisonment doesn't officially exist... but please think of me as an exception.

...I don't know what you're thinking, but I'll have you know I'm definitely not locked up here because I can't make a living.

It's just that staying cooped up in here is far too boring. So, I borrowed this girl's help.

Suji...? For what..?

Do you guys... know about the power dynamics on Tofu Street?

The makers, the processors, the distributors, and the thugs shaking people down for rent.

Plus the minor cartels who just love to fight. Yeah, it's a complete mess.

That's right. Tofu Street isn't just a simple market.

Logistics, rent, protection money, distribution rights... everything is entangled here.

Actually... this place isn't run solely on the Head Maid's fortune.

The person who actually generates the most revenue for the Panoticon is...

Suji.

...Eek!?

Don't say too much. Even if they are 'friends'...

Y-Yes...

...Hmm...

Are you saying you can't trust us?

Fufu... Who knows? I don't trust 'friends' easily. Unlike a certain someone.

...Don't you have any friends?

No, I don't. And I have no intention of making any in the future, either.

Y-Yes... The Panoticon boasts one of the largest scales in Humanitas.

Regardless of who runs it, the channel through which goods and logistics flow on such a massive scale is...

Correct! This is a massive black market hiding in plain sight, and a battleground for underground gangs.

Tofu? Haha, besides you guys... there are probably only three or four shops at most that are actually serious about [real tofu].

N-No way...

Tell me, do you know why your Tofu Troupe is able to secure the spot right in front of the Panoticon?

...Well, isn't it because we're strong? Spots are decided by power, after all.

If you can believe that, then good for you. Fufu...

It's simple. It's because you guys have no 'flavor'.

What...? You haven't even tried our tofu!

If you insult our tofu one more time, I'll shove it down your throat.

Even if you're Suji's master, you're not getting a pass!

Fufu, just hear me out first. It's not like you have anything to lose.

Tofu Street is a sort of 'proving ground'... A dark battlefield surrounding the Panoticon.

The more territory you secure, the more [tofu] you sell...

You end up proving your own 'power' and 'influence'.

Say, why don't you become my disciple too?

I can teach you... so. many. things...?

...No.

Y-You can't...

...Ha.

Right. I have no intention of stealing what belongs to my disciple.

Anyway, you guys are basically 'mavericks' who stumbled into the middle of a massive battlefield.

Not greedily seeking interests, selling only real tofu, and pursuing only the best tofu... The mavericks of Tofu Street.

That's why you guys, and other minority groups who don't care about interests, were just 'worthless targets' that weren't worth bothering with.

Since you snap back tenaciously yet care about nothing but tofu, fighting you has neither 'flavor' nor 'substance'.

...Ugh...

Uggggh!

V-Victoria...?

This is no fun, no fun! No fun at all!

What power dynamics?! Interests?! The Panoticon this, the Panoticon that!!

What, so in the end, only a tiny minority was actually serious about tofu!? Was it all just a passing tofu phase to everyone else?!

This sucks, this sucks, this sucks!! So I've been competing with brainless idiots who don't know the first thing about tofu this whole time?!

I...!!!

I love!! Tofu!!

I love tofu so, so much!

I love it so much that I'd sleep hugging a block of it!

I love grilled tofu, and I love fried tofu too!!

Putting it in soup? Putting it in stew? I'm all for it! Or drying it well to make dried tofu is great too!!

Baking it in the oven is a great choice too! Or we can make it into snacks! Even the soy pulp left over from making tofu can be put to good use!!

That kind of tofu... That kind of tofu...

I just... wanted to see everyone working hard, competing, and cooking to make delicious tofu together! That's what I wanted to see!

But what is this? Interests this, factions that... What is all of this!?

I... hate that!

...Because Victoria's love for tofu is the real deal.

...Sigh...

M... Master?

Fu... Fufufu!! Ah, ahahaha...

Ahahahahaha!!

Heh... Heh, heh... No, really... This is exactly why I can't leave this business.

Right, let's cut the boring, academic talk. Let's get straight to the point.

Do you guys... want to turn Tofu Street upside down? Do you want to smash this damn power dynamic to pieces?

Of course!! Everyone

In that case, we have a deal.

What you want, what I want...

Let's combine these two and see what new outcome we can create.

Woohoo! Alright, freedom!

This is no time to celebrate. The street has changed quite a bit in just one day.

That's... the franchise tofu shop we talked about last time. They're already here...

GMO tofu... mapo tofu... protein tofu, all of them...

Even... those shops that at least consistently sold decent tofu...

My, my, how impressive. Preparing to open shop the moment you're released. ???

...They're here. Just as Master said...

As expected of the Tofu Troupe. Should I call you the dark horses of Tofu Street? ???

Ahaha! Thanks for the compliment! ...But you know...

...Wasn't the deal between us finished back then?

The loan shark from the infamous 'Naughty Cats'.

Fufu... Of course it was. But it would be a shame to just sit back and do nothing, wouldn’t it?

Seeing you guys struggle to avoid bankruptcy and save your shop...

It would be a loss if I didn't enjoy it from as close as possible, wouldn't it?

So that's how you've been watching all the shops you took over.

...What a twisted hobby.

Oh my... Please don't misunderstand. I'm legally renting your territory in exchange for lending you money.

Of course... it would have been even better if you had completely handed it all over to me. Fufufu...

I didn't exactly start a fight, though? Nothing would have happened if you just got along and did business together.

I merely provided the venue and cleaned up the aftermath.

...And then you absorb all the ruined shops, right? Just like those franchise shops over there.

Fufu... That's right! All those tofu shops scattered all over the street... Their arbitrary tastes, their arbitrary prices.

On the other hand, our 'Tofu Factory' provides consistent [taste], overwhelming [value]... and a different kind of [fun].

So... instead of meaningless competition, why don't you guys work under us too?

After all, your tofu is just a cost-effective, efficient source of protein anyway.

With our tofu... we can go to even higher places, you know?

...!

Take that... back...!

Fufu... Why, did I say something wrong?

Wow, she's got some guts, provoking our boss like that.

Is that what they call looking for trouble, or digging your own grave?

U-Ugh, yikes!? W-W-What are you doing!?

...P-Parasite?! A pig?!!

W-W-What— You—

Gah!! It got in my mouth!! It's salty!!!

Y-Y-You! Who the hell are you!!!

...That mouth.

Shut, sh-shut, shut your mouth immediately... Y-You, you... you aphid!!

...Huh? An aph...id?

Suji...!?

I-I... don't love tofu as much as Victoria... nor do I know tofu as well as Rona, but...

But... insulting what my friends love is something I will never forgive!!

Wow! Heavy metal Suji, so cool!

Man, she really has some punch at times like this.

Urgh...! Do you think you'll get away with doing this to me!? I was going to quietly watch you go bankrupt, but...!

Now that it's come to this, I'm going all out too. We'll see if you can still make that face after you go bankrupt!

Ohohohohoho!

I-I'm sorry. I overstepped again... Gasp!

No!! You did great, Suji!!

If Suji hadn't done it, I would have. I would've kicked that damn woman's butt.

I'll give you that! But you're always good at stuff like that anyway!

Pfft... An aphid... Ahahaha! For Suji, that was a pretty intense insult!

Ah... Aww...

Ah... u-um... but...

Hm? What is it?

C-Could it be... is this... once again... the squishy Suji time...!?

Heh, heh, heh... Of course it is!! Everyone

H-Heeey!

Ah, from here on, it's exclusive to the Tofu Troupe!

Hmm, ahaha. What should we do, Suji?

Ah, w-well, you see...

If it's you... I might actually be okay with it...

And it's true that I was able to gather courage because of you... Ehehe...

Ohhh! Congrats, !

Congrats! Clap, clap, clap.

Right! In order to do that...

Everyone remembers what Bobcat said, right? Let's move right away!

Master is... Ahaha, she is indeed amazing in many ways...

Ah! Rona's beans! Over there!

Is it that transporter again? Incredible skills. It was like that back then, and this time too...

I feel like this happened before... Is it déjà vu?

...

...It's better if you don't know. For m-many... reasons...

If you get involved, it can get exhausting in many ways... and if you get involved the wrong way, it can get really dangerous...

Ah, it's nothing...

Suji! What are you doing? We have to hurry and make tofu!

Strip down first and put on that apron over there! Got it?!

E-E-E-Even if you're our friend, our tofu-making process is a trade secret...! P-Please wear my bag on your head for now...!!

Wh-What kind of person do you think I am...?

We've got free samples, so try some and decide for yourself!

The one-of-a-kind tofu in the world! It's absolutely delicious! Just try a bite!

J-Just one bite... Mmm...

...Look over there.

What... What is this...?

Huh? What's this... 'Grand Clearance Sale! Starting now! Guaranteed to be 50% cheaper than The Great Tofu Troupe!' ...Seriously?!

It's practically... free... No, they might actually be selling at a loss...

That's insane. They aren't trying to make a profit... They're trying to starve us out!

...Ha. They're openly targeting us right next door?

Unbelievable... seriously. I didn't think they'd go this far... Since they can't beat us in taste, they're trying to crush us with prices, huh...?

Wow, there's no way to market our way out of this...

...Should we lower our prices too? But if we do, and they just lower theirs again...

...No.

I don't want that...!

Suji...

We all worked so hard to make it, prepared so hard, and went through so much...

To see our tofu... get sold as some cheap junk... I hate it...!

Hey, .

Regardless of you rejecting my offer, let me ask you for one little favor.

Yes, a favor. Well, it's nothing major...

If those guys look like they're about to get boring... give them a little push.

Just like you conquered the Panoticon, using that wild imagination of yours as inspiration.

It's your specialty, isn't it? Flipping the board.

Those guys... are still young and inexperienced. They only move within their comfort zone, acting far too honestly to get what they want.

But you... you're different.

You don't care about the means or methods. When you want something... you do things others wouldn't even dream of.

And you couldn't care less about the consequences. Am I right?

But... let's just say I've met someone like you before.

Hardly. I'm no saint. It's just...

I guess I just want to ...see it.

...Something I've never seen before.

Huh? What's this all of a sudden?

...Flip it? How?

What do you mean? If we're not fighting over customers, then what...?

Me? Of course I do!

Uh... well? Since it's all about territory and black markets, it's hard to say anymore...

...Ah!

There were. Like those guys from before...

Oh, you mean the guys who blew up our fridge last time?

...So?

Fufu... Of course they aren't.

They're just a measly tofu shop anyway... There's no way they can stand against our 'Tofu Factory' with our perfect production, distribution, and sales system.

Once the most threatening group, The Great Tofu Troupe, collapses, we can slowly devour the rest.

That is how Tofu Street... and the territory of this entire district... will fall into our hands.

Ohohohoho!

Yes? What is it?

Fufu... How pathetic.

Leave them be. There's absolutely nothing they can do anyway.

By the way, it's a bit of a shame. I wanted to see them crying and begging while struggling in vain...

Ah, ah. Mic test, mic test.

Yeah! feat. !

Soldiers of Tofu Street, are you listening?!

Today, yours truly, Kasa, is going to carve a soul-crushing beat right into your eardrums, so listen up!

HA! Ha!

Wh-What is that...?

That peak of pure dissonance...?

Ha! That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Calling that noise 'music'...

Say what?!

All those times fighting over tofu, crying over tofu, laughing over tofu, YO.

Our tofu, which we poured our passion into all night long. The blood, sweat, and tears inside it.

(Shh! Just listen. Kasa hates it when people interrupt her singing.)

Your tofu that sold out its taste, passion, and dreams is nothing but food waste now.

Even the historic, traditional GMO tofu, the pinnacle of intellect.

Even the hot mapo tofu with chili oil that burned your tongue.

Even the protein tofu that revived exhausted muscles.

It's all useless now, since you sold it all out for a cheap franchise contract.

Discarded pride, worse than abandoned soybean pods.

Yeah, since you've already thrown it away, let's be honest here.

Honestly—your tofu tasted like absolute garbage anyway.

Whaaat?!

What!?!?!?

Whaaat?!

My... My marketing... is finally shining like this...!

Ahaha☆! But it's going exactly according to plan, right?

H-Hey...! Where do you think you're going all of a sudden? You have a contract with me!

If you break the contract... do you have any idea how much the penalty is?!

Shut up!! Are you telling us to just stand here and take this kind of insult?!

Ugh!

Ku, kuhuhu... How dare they insult mapo tofu, with its long tradition and history...

I'm going to cram mapo tofu down your throats! And at the absolute maximum Scoville rating!!

Kyaah?!

Tofu is the optimal food for consuming protein...

We worked tirelessly to master the taste while maintaining that golden ratio...

Insulting our hard work like that is unforgivable!!

Hey! Throw out all the tofu we just made! From now on, we're shifting to full-scale GMO tofu production!

Let's show those bastards the power of genetic engineering!!

Huh... Even so, it's just bland, knockoff tofu compared to our mapo tofu...

Everyone! We're making our secret sauce right now! Bring all the chili powder and mala you can find!

Vitamins! Protein! Vitamins! Protein!

Everyone! Contact all the gyms nearby! Call in every single body we can get!

Now... let's see whose weight class is superior. It's a bulk-up showdown!!

...

Does this look okay to you?!

Grrr...!

Call them...

Call in every single one of our guys right now! Since it's come to this... we have no choice but to use our last resort!

Wow! What is this tofu...?! It's incredibly savory! Customer A

It's like the tofu is melting right in my mouth! Customer B

Our sales are... going up... The customers... keep coming...

Ahaha☆! See that?! Now this is real tofu!

You mapo tofu-obsessed freaks!! I've always hated you guys for cramming chili peppers into perfectly good tofu!

What did you say?! At least we don't need genetic engineering just to make tofu that actually has flavor!

We're simply elevating tofu to a whole new level with our sauce!

It's fine. Because...

Ah! One special tofu set here, please! Customer A Whoa!??

Hey! How dare you touch our customer?! Get back here, you punk!

Anyone who messes with us is getting smashed to pieces!

Really? I think it's pretty fun. Customer B

It's been way too quiet lately! I can't even sleep if I don't hear gunshots on Tofu Street! Customer A

Watching this is half the reason I come to Tofu Street to buy tofu! Customer B

...

Vitamins! Protein! Vitamins! Protein! Let's show those flabby-muscled weaklings the power of our protein tofu!

Today's the day we crush 100 sets of squats! Let's show the world the power of our protein!

Fufufu... Tofu Street is supposed to be like this.

Right, right! It needs to be this lively!

Yes! If our sales keep going like this... we'll be able to pay off our debt in no time.

Awesome! Let's keep making those sales!

You think we'll just let you?! We've always hated how you Tofu Troupe guys monopolize the best spot... It's on!

Ahaha☆! Well, feel free to try and take it by force—

...What was that?! Victoria?!

Hey, Rona—

Th-This is...

Alright, alright, that's enough of a ruckus♡ The police have arrived after receiving a report! Wee-woo, wee-woo! Here we are♡

Any resisting losers♡ will be arrested on the spot, so keep that in mind, okay?

Hmm... It's a complete mess, indeed. Laila, maintain shooting posture.

Y-Yes, ma'am... I-I'll hold my position...

Ugh... the donut squad already?!

Fufufu... Did you really think I would just back down?

...I thought you ran away with your tail between your legs. I guess you still have some pride left after all.

Who ran away like a dog?! I'm a cat-beastkin!!

Hey!!!

We rushed out here after getting a report, and it's absolute chaos.

Exactly! We just wanted to run our business in peace, but those criminals are obstructing our business...

Hurry up and arrest those criminals! That's your job, isn't it?

Hmm... Yes. It is indeed our job. Arresting criminals, that is.

Now then, any bad children who resist will get punished by Marcia♡!

Just stay still, okay? Kihihit♡

Ugh... if we get locked up in the Panoticon again... the time...

Not only that, but the distribution channels we worked so hard to build, and all our new customers...

Tch... the path I paved with my music...

Marcia, arrest her.

There, you're arrested♡

Kyaah! What is the meaning of this—?!

There is the crime of attempting to use public authority for personal gain... but, well, we'll hear the important details from the person who filed the report.

The person who filed the report...?

Whaaaaaat?!

Wh-What did you report?! I did everything completely legally—

What? What absolute nonsense is—

Ugh—I-If you just give me a little more time—!

No, that's—!

Y-You're just making things up!! Do you have any proof?!

Kihihit♡ We already have more than enough witnesses, you know?

Indeed, this is more than enough to take her in. Take her away!

Guh...!? You think I'll just go quietly?!

Hey! Get out here, all of you! We can easily take care of a few lousy cops...!

Y-Yes, ma'am! Goon A Ugyaaak!?

!?

Ah... u-um... I'm sorry, but that's my target area...

If you make any sudden moves... I'll-I'll have to shoot you...

Now you get it, right? Let's go quietly.

Krrrgh...!

Y-You guys... don't think this is the end!

Yeah, yeah! Should I send you some tofu in prison?

You'll pay for this...!

Wow, but when did you prepare all of that, ?!

You're so smart!

B-But how did you know about the tax evasion, or the monopolization...

W-Wait, you read all of that...? I was just clutching at straws and looking into it on my own...

To think you prepared all of that... You're amazing, Suji.

Yeah, totally! We'd be in real trouble without Suji! Thanks to you, the Tofu Troupe is saved from bankruptcy!

Mhm, that was the ultimate blow.

Ah... yes... is this... by any chance...

Another Squishy Suji Time...?!

Of course!! Everyone

Ahaha!☆ After all, is an honorary member of the Tofu Troupe now!

Come here! You get to enjoy Squishy Suji Time too!

H-Hnnnnnnnnnng...!

Dammit...

Where did it all go wrong?! My plan was perfect...

Well, fine... It's only one day anyway.

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to contact the syndicate.

If I crush them with overwhelming force and capital... they won't stand a chance!

O-hohohohoho!

...Well, well, look who it is.

!?

Y-Y-You're...

It's been a while since I've seen a Naughty Cats member. So, how's business lately?

H-How are you here...?! I haven't heard a single word about you since then...!

Well, that's because I didn't really want any news of me leaking out.

N-No way...

...!

Right... I get it now... This was your doing from the very beginning, wasn't it?! Scheming and interfering with the syndicate's business...!!

Calling it a "scheme" is a bit offensive.

I merely gave some highly affectionate friends a little nudge to help them achieve their dreams. The rest, they did all on their own.

What absolute nonsense...

...Sigh. I can still picture Natalie's face. Is she doing well?

...

Ha! Cut that crap!

Don't you dare speak the boss's name! You traitor...!

Friendship? Friends? Dreams? How dare you, after you trampled on everything the boss built and just walked away...!!

Well, fine... Hmph, so you like those brats that much, huh?

In that case... I'll ruin them. Starting tomorrow, with everything I've got...!

...Pfft.

Ahahaha! Do you really think that's possible?

What? What are you going to do? Try and stop me?

How is a fugitive who can't even step outside going to stop me when I leave tomorrow?!

Hey.

...Sorry to break it to you, but strictly speaking, I'm not the one 'imprisoned' here. You're just locked in here with me.

W-What...

I spun a convincing lie about a long-term sentence... but I'm only here because it suits my needs. My reach is everywhere, and nowhere.

Do you really think you can cross me, whether in here or out there, and survive?

I built this street, and I run it. The black market, the intel—I control it all.

And a little punk like you dares to try and take a piece of my pie?

...Ugh... Wasn't the Head Maid the warden of this place?! Why are you—

Oh, don't worry about the Head Maid. She might not know everything I do, but we're business partners!

That butt-obsessed friend of ours can only afford her expensive hobbies thanks to me.

If I play my cards right, making sure someone like you never sees the light of day again is child's play.

Well, if I get bored, I could always have you turned into a butt toy in the Head Maid's room all day long...

H-Hieek...

If you understand, then get lost. And don't you ever show your face on Tofu Street again. If I see you next time... it won't end with just getting covered in bittern.

Who knows? You might suddenly find yourself abandoned in the middle of the ocean, bound in chains...

...!!!!

Sigh... How exhausting.

Do the shackles of the past follow you forever?

Hmm... did he say his name was ? No matter how I look at him, he's clearly 'one of my kind'...

I might actually be a little intrigued. Hehehe...