Chio's School Road (ちおちゃんの通学路)

I'm... gonna... be... so... late...

Okay, think positive!

No big. I'm here, and school's not even that far!

Uh, I have plenty of time to just barely make it!

That's my turn, and then it's straight on from there!

Hello, wall.

Haven't seen you here before.

This sucks.

Ugh! What?

This detour doesn't make sense and it's too far!

This is not supposed to happen

when you use the power of positivity!

What did I do wrong?

Aw, yeah!

That's what you call being a boss assassin!

It took me forever to get this far!

Now I just gotta run!

Ugh, they're still comin'?

Just because I killed their stupid boss!

It's a dead end!

But you know what?

Now you're a dead dead end!

Holy crap!

I finally beat it!

Huh. I'm being punished for all-night gaming.

That's fair, I guess, considering.

But now I'll definitely be late, and they'll whip me

and make me stand in front of the class

with the other late-sters!

Even if they don't beat me,

everyone will be looking at me, and that's even worse!

Should I still try to go?

Which way? Mm?

I could totally just climb this pole,

hop some rooftops,

and be there in, like, two minutes.

Wait, this might be game-brain.

They say this happens, but you never think it'll happen to you

until you literally don't know

if you're a normal kid or some legendary assassin.

You can't jump walls, Chio!

Or can you?

I mean "I." Can I?

Just turn around and walk like a normal person. Gah!

All games lie!

They just wanna ruin your life and your uniform!

At least the hard part's over.

The rest of the way will be like, level-one easy.

Random construction?

That's so stupid.

Hey, kitty.

Please don't wake up.

I got it!

Stop making me laugh!

You're so bad!

You started it!

Oh, hush!

Shh.

I'm getting better at this.

So cool!

Everyone should go to school this way!

Wow! So, this is where I'll be spending

the rest of my life.

Maybe I was wrong before.

What if I am part video game assassin?

I guess there's only one way to find out.

Who's got no middle finger and an epic hidden weapon?

Not to mention cat-like roof-jumping skills?

Even if it means risking your life, never be late!

That's the creed of this assassin!

Ugh! God dang sun!

All right, who's out here?

Damn birds again.

That was uncomfortably close!

That sun's out to blind us or burn us all to death!

So why don't you stare right at it

while brushing your teeth?

Spit assault! No!

It hit my glasses!

Thank you!

Maybe if I roll away he won't see me!

Remember how you're mad at the sun?

Aren't there better places inside

to gag on your toothbrush?

This day is filled with regret and broken dreams!

Ugh!

I'm an assassin, not a ninja!

I need to get down from here!

Oh, there's my school.

Dreams are still within reach.

I just need a drain pipe to slide down.

If I jump into a crowd of people,

they'll all look at me.

What? That can't be the only option.

Seriously?

I could get a running start?

And then just die two feet closer to the wall.

It won't be as far down if I do it this way.

Did you see that pic Miyamo's tagged in?

What's she doing?

Bein' some kind of spider monkey!

Being a nerdy spider monkey!

That's better. Hey, nerdy monkey!

Nerd monkey!

Shut up!

Monkeys climb trees, not walls!

Next, I'll be a "hang in there" meme.

I have to find a better way

that doesn't involve ruining my social isolation.

Maybe if I go back the way I came, I'll be back home.

-- -- Ugh! Also,

what's with the noise?

You gave a present to the birds.

That's how it always ends up.

I don't get why kids bring those outside.

Actually, I could probably reach it from here,

but that would mean being seen,

and then they'd wanna talk to me.

Sorry, little guy.

Well-timed, tall guy.

Excuse me, sir.

I hate to bother you on your morning stroll,

but, my son's balloon is stuck in the tree.

Oh, yeah, it's wedged right in there.

Poor kid.

Looks fairly easy to grab it, though.

Would you be willing to get it down for us?

Of course not.

Why would anyone want to do that?

Huh?

Oh, maybe I misunderstood.

Were you wanting to talk business and negotiate a fee?

That I can do. Let's talk expenses.

First thing's first, I'll need at least

three back-up replacements of my Armanyu suit.

The risk of it getting dirty or tearing is high,

and it's custom made at 530,000 attack power.

I mean it cost that, plus tax, which means it's very expensive.

Um, that's not within my budget?

Shh, it's okay.

All it would take is one giant rock and a shovel.

And not to be awkwardly stuck on a roof.

He can't get away with that!

Maybe there's something up here I can throw at him.

Tiny pebble, I choose you.

No better way to start the day than mocking the poor.

What a jerk.

Lucky for you, pebble,

there are times when all-night gaming

becomes real-life training.

Look closely and you'll always find a hidden path

to the impossible.

Oh, and another thing.

Hm?

Protect me, Python briefcase:

225,000 defense!

And by that, I mean the price before tax, of course!

I smite scumbags like this on the reg!

Name's Miyamo Chio.

I'm a first-year student,

and a fierce member of the Soft Tennis Club!

There's nothing I hate more... than standing out.

I did it! Thanks, crusty jerk!

That landing was so cool!

Who's the boss now?

Yes! I'm gonna make it!

I dunno, I looked back and he was down!

Do you think he's drunk?

Maybe we should get him to the hospital.

Takkun, look! It's your balloon!

And there's a pebble tied to the bottom.

Was someone up there?

Yeah, a superhero!

She's someone who flies through the air

and helps people in need!

I think she's... an assassin!

Like in the video games Daddy plays!

I see.

Whatever that means.

Underground shortcut for the win.

Finally, I can get back to my usual route.

Or just end up in a dark parking lot.

For a moment, I was a girl lost in a storm,

but I emerged a warrior.

A warrior of streets, of roofs, and a champion of lost balloons.

All while successfully avoiding human interaction.

And now, a breath of courage.