(intense heartbeat)
Antonio: Focus Antonio! Focus! Horryah!!
(sfx a darts game makes when the bullseye is hit)
Antonio: Yes!! I got the bull!!
Kotetsu: Dah!? I lost again? I’ve never lost against you in darts.
Antonio: Hm! Well as promised (snaps fingers), I want a rock bourbon, cause I’m Rock Bison~
Kotetsu: Ha? Say again?
Antonio: I don’t want to say it again…
Kotetsu: Haha, so double?
Antonio: Triple.
Kotetsu: Keugh, you know I’ve still got damage fines to pay for… Mister, a triple bourbon and a beer please.
Antonio: You have damage fines because of your bad habits right?
Kotetsu: Shut up! I shouldn’t have come to drink with you.
Antonio: Then invite Barnaby.
Kotetsu: I got rejected. You saw it happen.
Antonio: (mimicking Barnaby) He told you, “I have a package arriving later today so I apologize. See yah!”
Kotetsu: He didn’t say “see yah” though. Ay, here you go. Triple bourbon.
Antonio: Thanks. Well, don’t worry about it. We can just drink to our annual before-season-tradition if that’s the case.
Kotetsu: True. I need to re-center my focus cause there’ll be a new buddy system in place next season. Are things going well with you and Origami?
Antonio: You couldn’t tell from my consecutive win at darts?
Kotetsu: Eh? Is Origami by chance-!
Antonio: Seems like the benefits of having a buddy is pretty clear.
Kotetsu: Are you kidding me!! I wouldn’t have agreed to a game of darts if I knew about this!
Antonio: Anyway, it seems like all of the old heroes are getting along well, just like us.
Kotetsu: So I guess the ones we are worried about are the newbies and Kid’s buddy, huh.
Antonio: I think those two will be fine. Cat seems earnest. The real problem is the brazen-
Kotetsu: Black and Thomas!
Antonio: They seem like the type to do something they shouldn’t do, but when that time comes, as their senpai, I’ll show them what a hero is supposed to do!
Kotetsu: Heheheh.
Antonio: To me though, I think that man is the real eye of the storm.
Kotetsu: That man?
Antonio: The one sparkling in gold.
(Ryan theme song starts playing. Ryan’s footsteps can be heard)
Ryan: Huh? Old man? You two are drinking here as well?
Kotetsu: Eh?
Antonio: Ryan?
Ryan: Ciao~ Hmm~ This place doesn’t look too bad. I expected nothing less from you Junior-kun.
Kotetsu: Junior-kun?
(Barnaby’s footsteps can be heard)
Kotetsu: Bunny!!
Barnaby: Ah, hey.
(title soundtrack Tiger&Bunny plays)
Kotetsu: TIGER & BUNNY 2, special audio drama, The Night in Sternbild begins at 8 p.m. This is the wild story that took place a few days before the introduction of the buddy system for the new season of HERO TV. Please take care of us!
Ryan: Once again, cheeyaaaze!
Kotetsu, Antonio, Barnaby: Cheers.
Ryan: Aiyaahha! You know how I only lived here for a brief moment? I don't know where to go out to eat as a result and I'm bored of eating by myself at home.
Antonio: So that's why you went to Barnaby?
Ryan: Yeah, I've only got Junior’s contact in my phone and my partner's (aibou) under the legal age of drinking so I can't invite her.
Barnaby: You say that but to ring my doorbell numerous times despite me rejecting your offer is quite lacking in common sense.
Ryan: Heh, sorry 'bout that.
Kotetsu: More than that, you gonna be alright Bunny? Don't you have a package arriving?
Barnaby: Correct. But I still have a bit of time before it's expected delivery time.
Kotetsu: Huuuuuuumm. Then you could have done the same to my invitation…
Barnaby: Yes?
Kotetsu: No it’s nothing.
Ryan: Are you two always here together?
Kotetsu and Antonio: Hmm?
Ryan: What I’m trying to say is, what does the Old Man and Rock Bison usually talk-
Antonio: Oi Ryan!!
Ryan: Huh?
Antonio: (clicks tongue) I don’t reveal my face while I’m on the job so…
Ryan: Ahh yeah ok ok. Then from today onwards you are… Muscle!
Antonio: M- muscle?
Kotetsu: So lame.
(Ryan laughs)
Antonio: Hey wait a moment! Have you thought about the feelings of someone with this type of figure being called ‘Muscle”?
Kotetsu: Sup Muscle.
Antonio: Yo, what’s up. See!! Responding to it is embarrassing!
Ryan: Hehe got it. Then I’ll think of something more elegant.
Antonio: Don’t half ass it.
Ryan: More than that, who cares about this conversation about nicknames. What I want to ask is what do the two of you talk about when you come here!
Kotetsu: Even if I get asked what we talk about…
Ryan: Are you by chance, gossiping about romance~?
Antonio: You seriously think we would? We usually talk about work, right?
Kotetsu: We made a pact to talk about our failures during our rookie years before the start of every season.
Antonio: It’s an annual tradition.
Ryan: Hu~h, talking about your failures.
Barnaby: But why would you discuss that?
Kotetsu: Because becoming comfortable is the scariest thing to us. So we think back to our rookie days and gird our loins again.
Barnaby: I see. Then what is one of Kotetsu:-san’s rookie mistakes?
Antonio: Oh, let’s dive right into it.
Kotetsu: Alright! My rookie mistake was… when I arrived at the scene of a building that was on fire. The higher ups told me to lead people out of the building…
(flash back)
Wild Tiger: Everyone! Please come this way!! Please hurry!!*
(a large burst of flames)
Wild Tiger: Ah! My cape!! Ah ah that’s hot!?
Kotetsu: The fire was spreading so fast. And the entrance was so narrow that I was becoming worried that I won’t be able to save everyone. And then my senpai, Big Howler, burst through the wall and-
Wild Tiger: Senpai!
Big Howler: Hurry and guide everyone over here!!
Wild Tiger: Yes!
Kotetsu: He gave me a nasty scolding after that.
(siren noises)
Big Howler: Answer me Hero!!
Wild Tiger: I’m sorry!
Big Howler: Why didn't you break the wall!? If the entrance is narrow then open it up!!
Wild Tiger: But my company told me to not break anything because damage fines are expensive…
Big Howler: That’s why they call you an overly optimistic rookie!!
Wild Tiger: …You’re the only one who calls me that…
Big Howler: Huh?
Wild Tiger: Nothing!
Big Howler: Listen to me!! If you want to become a real hero, you can’t worry about damage fines! Just think about the citizens’ safety you rookie!
Wild Tiger: Roger! I will wildly try my best from now on!
Big Howler: Your focus is wavering!! This is why rookies are-!
(flashback over)
Kotetsu: His language was terrible but he taught me a lot. I feel like I broke out of my shell as a hero after that incident.
Barnaby: I do think that was a good story but…
Kotetsu: Huh?
Barnaby: Howler-senpai told you not to worry about damage fines because you are a rookie, correct? So then I wonder why you don’t worry about damage fines even as a veteran, Old Man.
Kotetsu: Heheeh, I wonder why too.
Barnaby: (smiling while gritting his teeth) This isn’t something to be laughing about. It affects our image as well.
Kotetsu: Roger. I will wildly work hard.
Ryan: Huh, so there’s a lesson at the end of these stories. Then who’s next?
Antonio: Mine. What first comes to mind when I think of my rookie mistake…
(flashback)
(machine noises)
Antonio: … Has to be my first dispatch. I saw the catapult and contacted the company mechanic while panicking.
Rock Bison: You want me to be dispatched with this? Be shot out from a catapult and fly through the sky? Please wait a moment I- we can use a car right? Wait! How- how am I supposed to land? Hugh!? Without a parachute!? Are you telling me to fly through the air and land without any parachute or harness!? Haaa-haha no no no, that’s impossible!! Huh? I’ll be fine if I use my powers? Why the hell do you know that!? Oh, um, I apologize for that. I’m just really scared… To tell you the truth, I’m not good with rollercoasters…ah aaaah my hand’s starting to shake. Please, I really don’t want to be shot into the sky. I’m begging you please. Please don’t make me!!
(flashback over)
Antonio: In the end, the incident was resolved while I was too scared to be dispatched. I feel like I’ve changed as a hero because I was too hesitant at that moment.
Ryan: Hmm… I wonder.
Antonio: …eh?
Barnaby: Isn’t that the fault of your company for not notifying you about your mode of dispatch earlier? Not to say that they are lacking in care but…
Antonio: No, you’re incorrect. It’s because I didn’t believe in myself. There is no way I could have gotten hurt with my powers.
Ryan: (awkward) Well, if you walked away with a positive message then that should be good enough?
Antonio: I will promise to believe in my own strengths during the next season.
Kotetsu: Alright! Then the next person is Ryan.
Ryan: Eh?
Kotetsu: A failure from back when Ryan was a rookie.
Ryan: Even if I’m asked that… Nothing really comes to mind.
Antonio: Don’t be shy. You’re the hero you are now because you learned one or two lessons right?
Ryan: Nah I’m being real. I really don’t have any stories like that… Oh. Can I tell you guys how I became a hero instead?
Kotetsu: That should be good enough.
Barnaby: I am curious.
Ryan: If I remember, it was while I was on my backpacking journey.
Kotetsu: Backpacking?
Ryan: I dropped out of high school and basically ran away from home by going on a trip.
Antonio: Really!?
Barnaby: Why?
Ryan: When I was looking at the ocean by my house, I wondered what was on the other shore and suddenly thought, “why not check it out!”
Antonio: Just that?
Kotetsu: If I were to question whether this is Ryan-like then-
Barnaby: It sure is very Ryan-like.
Ryan: And I wandered around several cities and found myself staring at an ocean I don’t know the name of…
(flash back)
(wave noises)
Ryan: (breathes in and out) I didn’t realize that the ocean smells different depending on location. Interesting.
(footsteps)
Guy: Someone! Someone please help!
Ryan: Uh! What’s wrong?
Guy: I haven’t been able to spot my child since they’ve gone into the water! They may have drowned!
Ryan: I got it! Leave it to me!
(running)
Ryan: It’s right here! Dodoon!!
(waves move aside)
Ryan: I figured I could find the kid by splitting the ocean into two with my powers. And of course, I was right. We were successfully able to find the kid and save them. It’s very on brand of me, right?
Kotetsu: And then you decided to become a hero after saving someone for the first time?
Ryan: God no!
Kotetsu, Antonio, Barnaby: Huh?
Ryan: Someone who happened to be associated with hero work saw how I saved the kid in the ocean and scouted me.
Kotetsu, Antonio, Barnaby: Scouted?
Ryan: He was relentless about it so I figured, why not?
Kotetsu: Wait, you became a hero cause, ‘why not?’
Ryan: W~ell, in the beginning.
Antonio: Wow. Everyone else who dreams of becoming a hero works hard at a young age yet you...
Barnaby: I didn’t realize that this was another valid way of entering the business.
Ryan: It’s a great memory to me when I look back now. Though there isn’t a lesson to be learned but… Ok! Who’s up next? Is it Junior-kun~?
Kotetsu: You have a story too, Bunny?
Barnaby: No, I don’t make mistakes.
Antonio: There’s gotta be something.
Barnaby: You’ve all watched me since my debut. I don’t have any failures to talk about.
Ryan: You say that but actually~?
Barnaby: I keep telling you that there is none.
Antonio: But as you say that…?
Barnaby: I don’t have any.
Antonio and Ryan: But you put on this front when really…?
Barnaby: (sighs) Fine, I understand.
Antonio: Hahaha!
Ryan: Heheh!
Antonio: See he does have one.
Ryan: Heh yeah.
Barnaby: If I am to talk about my failure, then it has to be how I believed Kotetsu-san was a good for nothing old man.
Kotetsu: What?
Barnaby: The first time I met Kotetsu-san, he didn’t fully understand how to utilize his powers efficiently and he made people wait for three minutes. He has an old fashioned perspective on being a hero and he makes people wait for three minutes. His wires would end up becoming an obstruction to my plan and he makes people wait for three minutes. I thought he was an old man that was good for nothing.
Ryan: You really took those three minutes to heart huh…
Kotetsu: (dry laugh) I don’t know what to say but, sorry ‘bout that.
Barnaby: The me back then was only seeing the surface of the Old Man. It was a big failure on my part, to not recognize his humanity.
Kotetsu: (embarrassed laugh) Oh I- thanks.
Antonio: That’s an incredible lesson.
Kotetsu, Barnaby, Ryan: Eh?
Antonio: It's a lesson to Ryan and I, who are going to receive a new buddy, that we should be looking into the true character of our buddies rather than the surface, right?
Ryan: Ah!!
Barnaby: Oh no, I was just vocalizing my personal regrets… Oh, it's almost 9 already. (stands up) Well then. I’ll be on my way.
Kotetsu: Hey you’re heading home already? W- wait up Bunny!! (runs after)
(door opens and closes)
Kotetsu: Bunny! Can’t you stay for a little longer? Why don’t we keep going and make this a kickoff party for Tiger & Barnaby? Whaddya say?
Barnaby: But my package will be arriving soon.
Kotetsu: Just let them leave it in the mailroom.
Barnaby: That’s impossible. It’s…a perishable product.
Kotetsu: Oh it’s perishable?
Barnaby: Not only that, I don’t want to participate in a kickoff party.
Kotetsu: Huh?
Barnaby: If I am going to drink with you, I’d rather do it when I have time. Wouldn’t you prefer to drink when we have nothing to worry about?
Kotetsu: Well, yeah but-
Barnaby: So, next time. Good night.
Kotetsu: Gotcha. Hey, don't catch a cold! (sighs) Dah!
Antonio: I wonder what package Barnaby is waiting for.
Ryan: He mentioned something about ‘a kit to make your own nutritional energy drink’.
Antonio: How stoic.
Ryan: Oh! Old Man~ Junior-kun ended up going home?
Kotetsu: Yeah.
Ryan: Don’t be so gloomy. Ya’ll are buddies so there'll be many opportunities for the two of you to go drinking.
Kotetsu: I thought that too but, the more I think about it, Bunny and I have never gone drinking before.
Antonio: Eh!
Ryan: Seriously?
Kotetsu: Is he maybe, avoiding it?
Antonio: No way. Your timing is just off.
Ryan: Yeah yeah. Don’t worry too much about it, Old Man. Exactly what Macho said.
Kotetsu: Guess I’m thinking too hard about it.
Ryan: Well, let’s continue drinking.
Kotetsu: Yeah!
Ryan: Macho! Let’s have another toast!
Antonio: Wait wait!
Kotetsu and Ryan: Huh?
Antonio: You’re trying to casually give me the nickname, Macho, aren’t you?
Ryan: Aw you caught that.
Antonio: Of course I’d catch it! Think about the feelings of someone with this type of figure being called ‘Macho’.
Kotetsu: Then why not a nickname that’s fitting for a hero, like ‘muscly muscle man’?
Ryan: Ohhh!!
Antonio: (bangs fist) That’s not the point! This is a nickname to not reveal my hero persona!
Kotetsu: Ah shit.
Ryan: Fine! Then how about ‘muscly muscle-san’?
Antonio: Huh!?
Kotetsu: Hey muscly muscle-san.
Antonio: Yo, what’s up. See, it’s so lame!? Alright I got it. I’m not letting either of you go home until you think up a good nickname for me!
Kotetsu: Huuh!?
Ryan: (nervous laughter) For real?
- *Trivia: Younger Wild Tiger speaks more politely; with more keigo and is less colloquial.