Aria the Scarlet Ammo (緋弾のアリア)

Can you imagine what it'd be like

to watch a girl just fall out of the sky?

Yeah.

That'd be a great way to start off a movie or a manga.

It could definitely be the opening shot

of some extraordinarily cool story.

Maybe the main guy could transform into a hero

and this would be the beginning of a great adventure

for him and the girl.

But actually wishing for that to happen to

you would be kinda stupid, because there's no way on earth

a girl like that would be normal.

Hey Jerkwad!

You gonna duck or should I shoot you too?

In real life?

Being shoved into an unknown world

where you're supposed to be the hero?

I know it sounds cool but trust me,

it'd be dangerous and a serious pain in the ass.

There's a frikkin bomb planted on this stupid thing!

Get back or you're gonna get dead!

Article 1 of the Butei charter.

"Trust your friends and help when they need it."

Are you ready?

That's me.

I'm Kinji Tohyama.

And crazy hero adventures?

Yeah, that's never really been my thing.

All I ever wanted was to have an ordinary life.

I didn't want to be noticed or even talk

to anybody for that matter.

I wanted to get out of my psycho school.

Just because my last name 'Tohyama' is famous,

doesn't mean my life has to be special.

There's my sleepy Kin-Kin.

I've told you ever since we were little not to call me that.

Time to let that go and just call me Kinji, okay?

Oh yeah.

I'm sorry.

I was actually just thinking about when we were kids

on the way over here, Kin-Kin, so I guess it was--

I just said it again, didn't I?

I'm so sorry Kin-Kin-- Oh. Oops.

Well?

What'd you come here for?

You remember how I told you I'd be at the Ise Shrine

for training camp up until yesterday, right?

Well, I just came by to catch up

since I couldn't do anything for you while I was gone.

You don't have to do this.

But, I want to.

Fine, go ahead.

Check it out.

I made you this.

This is sugar-soy sauce shrimp,

Coho salmon and Saijo persimmons,

and since you like omelets,

I went ahead cooked one of those for you, too.

You went to an awful lot of trouble.

Not at all.

I just had to wake up at 4:30.

I always worry about you during summer break

because usually you eat so poorly--

nothing but fast food, cans of meat and those sugar things.

Thanks a lot.

But my diet is not your job.

Here's dessert for my Kin-Kin.

Uh, yeah.

Say, um...

Thanks for all the nice stuff you do, Shirayuki.

But you're always so nice to me.

I should be thanking you!

You really have to stop acting like this with me at some point.

But I could see how difficult it was for you to say "thanks."

You just try so hard for me.

Black? Oh crap.

That's gotta violate the dress code.

Thanks for the food!

Oh man.

That was a close one.

Hey Kin?

In honor of our first day as sophomores

I had your bulletproof uniform cleaned.

Yeah, thanks.

And I loaded your Berretta for you, too.

Those rounds were laying everywhere.

Great.

Do I seriously have to go strapped

on the first day of school?

You know you do, Kin.

The school rules clearly state that students of Butei High

are required to carry a gun and a blade

within school premises at all times.

You never know when another psycho

could pop up, like that Butei-Killer.

The Butei-Killer?

C'mon, they already caught that guy, right?

Heard they locked him up and threw away the key.

Sure, but a copycat might try to steal his ideas.

This morning's horoscope said

that you'd have trouble caused by a woman.

If something were to happen to you, Kin.

I'd just, I think I'd--

Okay, okay.

Besides, if I break the rules,

I'll get an even worse evaluation,

and then I can't transfer schools.

You're so lucky, Kin.

The Tohyama family is filled with legendary heroes

and you're one of them.

Stop saying that.

I'm not anybody's hero.

I'm just a kid.

Go ahead and go without me.

I'll be there after I check my e-mail.

If you want me to wait I could clean

and do laundry until you're finished with that.

You've done enough already.

Okay then.

Do your e-mailings.

Maybe you'll even have time to send me one.

Oh crap! I'm gonna miss the bus!

On this particular day.

I missed the 7:58 bus for school,

which I would come to regret for the rest of my life,

starting right then.

Is it too much to ask for a normal, ordinary life?

That's all I want.

Attention: There is a remote bomb planted on that bicycle.

If you attempt to get off the bike

or if you begin to slow down, it will explode.

Oh great.

This is a joke, right?

Please do not try calling for help.

It is wired to explode if you use your cellular telephone.

There's no way.

You never know when another psycho could pop up,

like that Butei-Killer.

A copycat!

That's just perfect.

Why is he going after me?

I'm nobody.

I don't even want to be a stupid Butei.

Good morning first year students,

it's nice to meet you all.

I'll be your Ambulace instructor at Tokyo Butei.

My name's Mr. Sayonaki.

Today, I'll orient you to the campus.

I'll start with a basic introduction of our facilities

and then I'll make sure you understand all

of the school rules at Butei High.

Tokyo Butei High is a 2 kilometer long by 500 meter wide

man-made island known as a Mega-Float

which is anchored due south of the Rainbow Bridge.

If I stop, it'll explode.

If I slow down, it'll explode.

Even if I jump off, I'll end up getting shot by an Uzi.

I've gotta think.

Butei High is a comprehensive educational institute

that trains students to become armed detectives known as Butei.

Established to fight the rising tide of violence,

graduates receive an international license

granting them powers

equivalent to those of the police,

like carrying weapons and making arrests.

However, unlike the police, Butei are freelancers.

Our students are allowed to take any Quest

they choose within the scope of Butei Law.

Got it?

It's no use.

Unless I take it out in one shot,

I'll be Swiss cheese for sure.

Given the nature of the job,

a Butei could end up on almost anyone's enemy list.

Recently, there was even a serial killer

who was specifically targeting the Butei.

Let that serve as a reminder to all of you,

the life of a Butei can be very dangerous

and our training reflects that fact,

so try not to die during school hours.

Every year I see the new crop of incoming students

and get a little sad because I know some of them

won't make it to graduation.

Crap, my legs are almost dead.

This is your last warning.

If you slow down any more, the bomb will explode.

Is this how I'm going to die, on a bike?

Can you imagine what it'd be like

to watch a girl just fall out of the sky?

Huh?

What happened to me?

I think my bike exploded.

There was a bomb planted on it.

A girl fell from the sky.

And then?

She's cute.

Hey, wait.

I got thrown when the bomb exploded,

but how did I end up in this place?

This can't be right!