“Emi Totsukomi Can't Help But Retort...!” Episode 1 [Creative Award 2024 Manga Original Work Category Entry]

Synopsis
Emi Totsukomi, born in Osaka, moved to an island in the Seto Inland Sea for certain reasons. She planned to transfer to the Private Setouchi Academy on a neighboring island and start her high school life with a fresh mindset. Private Setouchi Academy However, on her first day of transfer, a certain encounter dragged her back into "that world" once again...

A genius of retorts—the curtain rises on a hilarious youth manzai comedy woven by this girl and a cast of unique characters!

Main Story
The Hook
“Wait! What’s wrong with that!”
A girl screams while shaking her bright blonde hair. Hearing that scream, the boy walking ahead stops, turns around, and opens his mouth.
“...that.”
“Huh? What was that?”
“...that.”
“That’s what I’m asking! I can’t hear you properly!”
“Well then...”
The boy faces forward again and starts walking.
“Hey, wait a second!”
The girl runs to catch up. She isn't unathletic. However, no matter how much she runs, she cannot catch up to the back of the walking boy. In fact, it feels like he is moving further away.
“...”
“We were doing great! What didn't you like!? Was it my fault!? If so, tell me! I’ll fix it!”
“.........”
The girl screams again. Even though the boy should be able to hear her voice, he doesn't try to turn around. The girl gradually gets angry.
“Oh, I see! Fine then! Do whatever you want!”
“............”
The boy keeps walking further and further. The girl panics.
“Hey, wait! Is there really anyone who would just do whatever they want, you idiot!”
“...Sigh.”
The boy turns around. His face is hazy, and the girl cannot see his expression clearly.
“W-what is it...”
“...It’s over now. Take care...”
“W-wait! We were a great duo!”
“..................”
The boy moves away again. His back gradually disappears from sight.
“Hah!”
The girl snaps her eyes open.
“...This dream again.”
The girl strokes her messy black hair with her hand, puts on her glasses, and whispers to herself.
“What an idiot I am... just forget it already...”
The girl gets up, finishes her preparations efficiently, eats breakfast, and leaves the house.
“I’m off~”
The girl heads to the nearby port, where a medium-sized ferry is docked. She boards the ferry. After a short wait, the ferry departs. She sits in a window seat.
The girl gazes blankly at the calm Seto Inland Sea from the window. Since she has already experienced commuting by ferry several times, the novelty has worn off. However, she felt fortunate that she might be able to grow fond of this sea view. She pushed the bad dream she saw upon waking to the back of her mind.
Along with an announcement, the ferry docks at an island port. The girl gets off. After walking for a while and climbing a small hill, a large school appears before her eyes. A plaque inscribed with “Private Setouchi Academy” is installed at the school gate. Even before moving here, she knew it was a fairly large island by looking at maps online, but she didn't know there was such a large high school. There are quite a lot of students attending.
“...Well, as long as I don't stand out, it should be fine.”
The girl whispers and heads toward the school gate. The area around the gate is somewhat noisy.
“New students to the soccer club!”
“Let’s train together in the judo club!”
“Join the light music club!”
“Won't you join the brass band?”
The recruitment battle for clubs and circles has already begun for the new students who finished their entrance ceremony yesterday. This girl slips through the circle of recruiters while emphasizing that she is a second-year student.
“...Besides, nobody would call out to a girl like this...”
The girl laughs self-deprecatingly. Unlike the dream from earlier, the girl has her black hair in braids and is wearing glasses. To put it mildly, it is a “plain” look. But that was fine. If she could just spend the two years until graduation peacefully and without incident... that was her only wish. The girl passes through the circle. She hears a voice behind her but ignores it.
“Phew...”
The girl has passed the circle; this is fine. She wants nothing to do with troublesome clubs or circle activities. She can see the beautiful sea from the top of the hill. The girl stretches her arms out wide. The start of her flowery high school life.
“E-excuse me!”
“Hm?”
Turning around, a boy with glasses holding a flyer is out of breath, having chased after her. A bad feeling...
“Haa... haa... You’re Emi Totsukomi from “Twin Smile”, right?”
“It’s Totsukomi, not Tsukkomi! I’m Emi Totsukomi!”
Emi, having been called by name, let out a retort with a voice so good it echoed near the school gate. Emi holds her head. Her high school life, notice of early termination.

1
“Y-you really are that “Twi-Sma”...”
“You’ve got the wrong person...”
Emi tries to leave the scene. The boy with glasses calls out in a panic.
“N-no, wait a second! I realized it from your face at a 90-degree angle!”
“That’s creepy! Where did you realize it from! A profile view is fine!”
Emi stops involuntarily. The boy nods.
“That resonant voice, the sharp retort... and the native Kansai dialect!”
“You don't have to say ‘native’ like I’m trying to act cool! ...!”
Emi, startled, looks forward. The boy nods again.
“It really is you... the retort specialist of “Twi-Sma”...”
“I-it’s a case of mistaken identity...”
Emi tries to start walking again. The boy asks regardless.
“I was shocked by Twin Smile! That high schoolers could do manzai like that...”
“...”
“The “free-spirited boke” that responded flexibly to the “seven-colored retort”... I don't think even pros could easily show that level of combination...”
“.........”
“A duo that became a legend in just a few months of activity... The mysteriousness of having almost no videos or images circulating only heightens that charisma...”
“............”
“Why are you on such a rural island?”
“...It’s a case of mistaken identity.”
“In the first place, why did you quit Twi-Sma?”
“That’s none of your business!”
Emi stops, turns around, and raises her voice. The boy is surprised and bows his head.
“S-sorry...”
“N-no, I’m sorry too...”
Emi adjusts her crooked glasses and tries to walk away again.
“E-excuse me... I am very sorry to someone with such a promising future, but...”
“Sigh...”
Emi sighs. This boy is still talking to her.
“In our circle...”
“I refuse. I have no intention of doing circle activities.”
“Eh...”
“Excuse me.”
Emi bows and walks away briskly. The boy left behind scratches the back of his head and mutters.
“I failed... But I didn't think I'd see her at a high school in such a rural area, so I got excited... A bad habit of an otaku...”
“S-stop it!”
“!”
Hearing Emi's voice, the boy turns his gaze that way. Emi is surrounded by three muscular men, with one arm being grabbed.
“Heh, big sister, join our club...”
“Senior, did you like girls with glasses?”
“What a maniacal guy~”
“Idiot, girls like this shine if you polish them.”
“L-let go...”
Emi whispers in confusion. The man grabbing her arm shakes his thick neck.
“No, I won't let go.”
“I-I have no intention of joining a sports club...”
“Me neither!”
“Oh, Kansai dialect! This might be good!?”
“That’s why I’ve been saying that from the start...”
To the entourage excited by Emi's reaction, the man acts proud for some reason that his eye for talent was correct. Emi mutters.
“I-if you’re too persistent, I’ll scream...”
“Then, that loud voice. The resonant voice I heard earlier... it’s perfect for a manager.”
“M-manager...?”
“That’s right.”
“Oh, finally we have a female manager!”
“The fun is increasing!”
“You guys, shut up for a second... How about it?”
The man warns his entourage and then asks Emi. Emi conveys her thoughts while confused.
“How about it, nothing... I refuse. Let go.”
“No, I won't let go until you say yes.”
“!? W-what kind of nonsense...”
Emi tries to shake off his arm, but it doesn't budge. The man laughs.
“Hahahaha! It’s useless, useless. With your thin arms, there’s nothing you can do... though I’d like to say that, you’ve got surprisingly strong muscles...”
The man looks at Emi's wrists curiously.
“S-stop it!”
“Hm?”
When the man and Emi look, the boy with glasses was standing there. His voice and legs are shaking pathetically. Even so, he continues desperately.
“S-she doesn't want to!”
“We’re just having an exciting discussion...”
“W-where is this a discussion!?”
“You’re noisy... who are you?”
“W-we called out to her first! You can't just snatch her away!”
The boy brandishes the large amount of flyers he is holding.
“Huh? Hand them over!”
“Ah...”
The man's entourage takes a flyer and reads it.
“Setouchi Academy Comedy Research Circle...?”
“Pfft, it’s not even a club...”
“We don't need weaklings from a cultural club. Get lost...”
Hearing the entourage, the man glares.
“T-that won't do! She’s joining our circle!”
“!?”
Emi is surprised, but the boy continues regardless.
“She said so earlier!”
“Huh? To hell with a verbal promise like that...”
The man rotates one arm. The boy screams while flinching.
“N-no violence!”
“Don't say things that sound bad.”
“B-because, that’s definitely a setup to punch me, right!?”
“Are you an idiot? If I did that, club activities would be suspended...”
“...Making me think that~?”
“I told you I wouldn't!”
“Making me let my guard down and then~?”
“I won't! Why would I need to surprise a weakling like you!”
The man raises his voice.
“A-anyway, she is a member of this circle!”
“...She doesn't seem to remember saying that...”
The man peers into Emi's face.
“S-surprisingly sharp...”
“Hm?”
“She said she would carefully and positively consider joining the circle!”
“That’s different from what you said earlier!”
“Guh...”
“...Well, fine. Make us laugh.”
“Huh?”
“If it’s a comedy circle, make us laugh... If you can do that, I’ll back off.”
“U-um...”
“Hurry up!”
“S-Setouchi Comedy Research Circle! W-we’ll do a routine!”
The boy throws the flyers on the floor and raises his right hand.
“Hm...”
“We’re Setouchi!”
“!”
“We’re Setonai!”
“!!”
“The two of us together, we’re Seto-Seto♪ Well, Tonai-kun, right? Recently...”
“T-this guy... is he going to do manzai alone?”
“S-seriously...”
“...kun.”
“Hm?”
“Wait a second! Touchi-kun!”
“!?”
Emi forcibly shakes off the arm and runs over to the boy. The boy and the men are surprised.
“Why are you trying to start small talk so naturally!”
“Eh...”
“Even though the duo name is Seto-Seto, the stage names are Touchi and Tonai! Where did the ‘Se’ go!”
“I, I’m just bearing with the ‘Se’ for now...”
“I don't need that kind of patience! Besides, Tonai sounds like Tokyo-Tonai, it’s confusing!”
“I thought it would give off a city vibe...”
“What is that city vibe! Why are you trying to be a little flashy!?”
“Is it no good~”
“Of course it’s no good!”
“...O-okay, let’s go...”
The boy notices the men have left.
“...Oh, they’re gone. Was the routine good?”
“They were probably stunned... or they thought you were a group they shouldn't get involved with.”
“Oh, that one...”
The boy smiles bitterly. Emi mutters.
“Thanks...”
“Yes?”
“You saved me. In return for the favor...”
Emi picks up the flyers scattered on the ground and shoves them into the boy's face.
“...!?”
“I can consider it carefully if that’s all.”
“...W-welcome, this way!”
“So you have a club room, it’s quite spacious...”
Guided by the boy, Emi enters the club room.
“Well, the school building is unnecessarily huge. There are surprisingly many empty classrooms.”
“...What was it again?”
“Eh?”
“The circle name.”
“Ah, Setouchi Academy Comedy Research Circle...”
“That’s long.”
“Eh?”
“It’s too long, the name. Do you have to say that every time? You’ll keep biting your tongue. You won't have enough tongue for it.”
“Y-you’re right, I suppose...”
“That’s the first thing you should notice...”
Emi mutters in exasperation. The boy is impressed.
“To notice the problem just by seeing the routine... as expected of a pro...”
“I’m not a pro, I was just an aspiring pro...”
“I-I’m sorry...”
“Why not abbreviate it?”
“Yes?”
“The circle name, for example... “Seto-Wara” or something...”
“Oh!”
The boy leans his face close to Emi. Emi is confused.
“W-what is it...”
“It’s suddenly become much more approachable! As expected!”
“Anyone could think of this...”
“No~ it’s hard when you don't have anyone to consult with...”
“...Well, I think I’ll excuse myself now.”
Emi tries to leave the room in a hurry. The boy stops her in a panic.
“W-wait a second! Isn't it too early to finish considering!?”
“It’s because I had a bad feeling.”
“A bad feeling?”
“Yeah, this circle... the punchline is that you’re the only member, right?”
“Gulp.”
“Don't do such an old-fashioned reaction. Well, I observed it for now, so I’ve fulfilled my duty. See ya...”
Emi tries to leave. The boy raises his voice.
“There are 6 people!”
“Eh?”
“Excluding me, there are 6 members!”
“Oh...”
“Including me, that’s 7 people.”
“I know. I’ve received compulsory education.”
“I’m sorry...”
“Well, there are quite a few people.”
“Oh, by the way, the names are on the wall...”
The boy points to the wall. Wooden tags with the members' names are hanging.
“Wow, like a university rakugo club... then,”
“Yes?”
“You don't have to force people to join, right? It’s enough people for a circle, isn't it?”
“No, it’s better to have a first-year student join, isn't it?”
“Is that how it is?”
“That’s how it is.”
“Besides...”
“Besides?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
The boy waves his hands. Emi tilts her head.
“? Well, fine. There’s something else I’m curious about...”
“What is it?”
“You said you didn't have anyone to consult with, right?”
“Ah, yes...”
“You do.”
Emi points to the wall. The boy smiles bitterly.
“Well, how should I put it...”
“Are they ghost members?”
“No, everyone shows their face every now and then. It’s just that they have other clubs to balance, so they can't devote all their time here...”
“Do they have any motivation?”
“Only motivation...”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m the only one in charge of thinking up routines...”
“Hm?”
“Everyone else is a “boke”...”
“Are you idiots!?”
Emi raises her voice. The boy mutters after a pause.
“That’s right... this comedy circle doesn't have a “retort”!”
“Oh, I see...”
“So!”
The boy grabs both of Emi's hands. Emi shakes her head vigorously.
“No, no!”
“With these god hands!”
“That’s lame!”
“We want you to whip us into shape!”
“Will you stop saying things that could be misunderstood with a loud voice!?”
“Excuse me, I want you to retort!”
“...I refuse.”
“Eh!?”
The boy is surprised. Emi mutters while covering her ears.
“Is that something to be so surprised about...”
“W-why!?”
“I’m not doing comedy anymore...”
“Why not?”
“Just because...”
Emi tries to leave the club room.
“But the one who threw me a lifeline earlier was...”
“!”
“Because your heart that loves comedy was aching, right?”
“...It was because I couldn't just watch.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“?”
“It means your burning passion for comedy hasn't disappeared yet.”
“Don't act like you know everything...!”
Emi turns around and glares at the boy quietly. The boy continues without flinching.
“It’s too much of a waste to let that talent wither away...!”
“...”
“Why don't you let that talent shine again in this circle? For you, who went one step away from being a pro, our level might be low, but... ah!”
A stack of notebooks piled in the corner of the club room collapses. Emi flips through the notebooks while picking them up.
“This is... a routine notebook.”
“Y-yes... I wrote them.”
“How old are you?”
“Ah, I’m a second-year...”
“Then, you wrote this much in one year...”
Emi is impressed looking at the stack of notebooks. The boy shakes his head.
“No, this is mostly for the last three months.”
“Huh!?”
“I take the old ones home.”
“T-this amount in three months...?”
“I like thinking of routines... though I have a tendency for mass production...”
“No, being able to think of them is a big deal...”
“Sigh...”
“Hmm...”
Emi stares intently at the notebook. The boy smiles bitterly.
“No, I’m embarrassed by my messy handwriting... I’ll make a clean copy on the computer...”
“...Shall I do it?”
“Eh?”
“Seto-Wara, I’ll be the retort.”
“Eh!?”
“There’s no point in lying here.”
“W-why...?”
“You thought of these routines so hard, and they’re not bad at all. It’s a waste not to show them to the world.”
“I-is that so...”
“Do you do routine showcase lives?”
“N-no...”
The boy shakes his head. Emi smiles bitterly.
“Well, doing it without a retort would be a huge accident...”
“W-we have one coming up...”
“Hm?”
“There’s a new student welcome party.”
“Come to think of it, there was something like that...”
“There’s a club and circle activity briefing session there.”
“Oh...”
“I was thinking of promoting the circle there, but...”
“That’s perfect.”
“Eh?”
The boy tilts his head.
“Let’s do a routine there.”
“Whaaa!?”
“Why are you surprised? You were the one who asked me to be the retort.”
“Y-yes, but... it’s so sudden...”
“Life basically waits for no one.”
“I-isn't there not enough time? It’s in three days?”
“That’s plenty of time.”
“I-I see...”
“Well, it’s decided.”
Emi, who was crouching to pick up the notebooks, stands up.
“B-but...”
“What is it?”
“There’s no boke who can stand on stage that day. Everyone has plans...”
“...What’s your name?”
“Eh? It’s Tsukasa Hosohane...”
“Tsukasa-kun, why don't you and I do manzai together?”
“Eh!?”
The boy who called himself Tsukasa lets out a ridiculous voice.
“If the routine is in your head, practice won't take much time.”
“N-no, I’m aspiring to be a broadcast writer...”
“It’s also important to understand the feelings of the performer, you know?”
“That might be true, but...”
“Alright, then in three days, “Seto-Wara” first stage!”
Emi wears a full-faced smile.