You're taking too long!
C'mon, get ready quickly.
I told you I'm not doing it.
Why?
Kazura!
Do you not like our baozi?
That's not it.
Then you don't like me?!
That's also not what I'm...
Hey!
You suck up there!
Why don't you say something?!
Skinny-eyes over here isn't listening!
Hey, are you listening?!
Come out to the front, right now!
A photo shoot?
For the food at your restaurant?
May I ask why?
For treacherous reasons!
Aoi!
You'll have to listen to this!
Looks like I will...
Then listen!
The Japanese cuisine restaurant right across from ours is raking in the cash with their fake food!
Fake?
Their food is?
I don't follow.
Basically...
Thanks to them, my restaurant isn't doing well!
I want to put pictures on our menu and fight back!
So...
Can you elaborate on your-
You guys!
Do you want to see my store close down?!
Anyway...
We just need to take pictures of your food to put on your menu?
That's my Aoi!
You're all for it!
Now, come to my place and...
Don't, Aoi.
Why not? It's just a few photos.
It's the least I could do for all the baozi I get.
It's not as simple as you think.
Well, I am a professional.
If you are, then you should be aware.
It's exceedingly difficult to capture invisible taste into the film.
What's wrong?
Cowering away even before you take the picture?
I'm just saying you shouldn't make promises you can't keep.
I want to continue eating Fuuran's baozi.
I can't allow her restaurant to close.
You don't want to eat her baozi?
That has nothing to do with this matter.
You're so stubborn!
You're just too lax!
Okay!
Leave it at that.
Now, you two.
You shouldn't fight over me.
If you want to fight,
you can continue after you take pictures of our food.
Wow, it looks so realistic.
I've seen these things back in my homeland.
I'll have to take your word for it then.
I see.
So they're actual fakes.
She meant the displays.
I heard that department stores in Tokyo and Osaka have installed them in their cafeterias.
Are they made out of wax?
That's impressive.
They look just like the real dish.
She wants me to take pictures that can outclass these?
I did warn you.
What's wrong?
Cowering away even before you look down the finder?
You know... you're pretty mean.
Wait...
What are you gonna do?
Well, we're doing it.
Since we're professionals.
We have to do a taste test first, right?
Just hold up the camera.
Hey, can you go get that cute lady who just walked by?
For what?
We're going to have her hold the food.
Genius, don't you think?
We're trying to convey the taste.
The taste of the food.
Then, how about we put some soy sauce on the food,
and just label it "super delicious meat dish"?
Aoi.
What?
Are you even taking this seriously?
I am.
I'm serious.
You don't look serious.
Okay, fine, fine!
If you don't like how I do things, then you can take the pictures.
That's right!
Kazura, you can take some pictures!
I'm here today as an assistant.
I won't take pictures.
Are you sure?
The client is personally asking you.
That's right.
The client is asking you.
Leaving it all to Aoi...
Really worries me!
More!
Let's make a mountain on the plate!
Good!
This is how it's actually served.
This is good.
Taking good shots is all about following your instincts, you know?
The shadow comes in like this, so...
I should take it from this angle.
I want several servings of the appetizer on a big plate!
Can you split them up into small plates?
I need to show how much a single serving looks like as well.
Thank you.
Here you go.
What is it?
We've got high hopes for those photos!
Wait...
Are these payment for our job?
You also had some while you worked!
I'd say that's more than enough.
Now, we need to open the restaurant.
Out of the way!
Don't try to stand out.
Weren't there any seats indoors?
Don't you feel liberated outside?
We need a change of pace after a good job.
We still need to develop the film.
May I take your order?
A coffee, please.
Will you be eating as well?
No thanks.
We've got these.
Borscht and potato salad, please.
There's some for you too, you know?
You're so shameless.
Is this how they do things in Europe?
Well...
It depends on the restaurant, but...
To be honest, they're unexpectedly useful.
Even in the upper classes, there aren't many people who care much about the public eye.
If you ask me...
It's much more unpleasant to be walking around in military uniforms.
What's wrong with soldiers wearing their uniforms?
It's a different story if it was a time of war,
but it's simply an eye sore if they're walking around in their uniforms during times of peace.
They're simply prepared for anything that may happen unexpectedly.
That's what their uniform means.
What do you mean, "unexpectedly"?
Have you forgotten that we're in China?
What do you mean?
Japan shouldn't be the ones to decide the future of this country, is what I mean.
We're done.
We're done with what?
You should think about where you stand.
I have no reason to continue with such a ridiculous discussion.
What was that?!
Don't try to start a fight.
You're the one who picks a fight over everything I say!
At everything I do, you-
Aoi?
I don't have the film.
To be precise, I don't have the pouch I put the film in.
Did you just forget it at Fuuran's place?
Then where did I get these baozi?
Where did you put it down?
Right next to my seat!
I'm sure of it!
Did someone snatch it?
No.
I didn't sense anyone coming near.
Now...
We have to redo all the shots.
Well...
You see...
I also had the film for Lieutenant Colonel Katahira's family vacation trips in there...
We can't retake those.
Are you sure?
I'm going to ask one of my friends.
Hey!
Thank you for waiting.
And can you also take care of the stains on the clothes?
Of course. I'll have it done by tomorrow afternoon.
Well, thank you.
Thank you for coming.
You seem to be doing well.
This is troublesome, Aoi.
I asked you not to come to the store.
The hideout of a thief? Give me a break.
I can give you information on the higher-ups of the KMT, but...
I can't give you information on the Green Gang.
This entire territory belongs to them.
Who knows what they would do to me if they find out?
You'll tell me, won't you?
Oh, you should ask Reika. She wears a crimson dress.
No, that's not what I want.
I need some information out of you.
Your back's wide open.
Don't make me remind you again.
You scared me shitless.
Is that the place?
With you here, that doubles the possibility.
Despite that, it's still not definite.
What's wrong?
Are you here to stop me?
No.
But...
These guys may be common thieves,
but they're connected to the Green Gang.
It wouldn't hurt to be cautious.
But they'll get away if we take too long!
If they start acting separately,
it'll be much easier to catch the one we want.
Catch who?
We don't know who took it!
We can just blast right through them if we act now!
That's much easier for us.
I hope your head isn't filled with the ridiculous thought of activating your power here.
Of course it isn't.
Don't tell me you're scared.
Don't be ridiculous.
Then let's just charge inside and take back our film pouch.
What I'm saying is, if...
I don't care about the if!
It's you and me we're talking about.
We can't possibly fail.
Run away!
Aoi.
What's up?
It may be a little late, but let's cool our heads first.
Nice plan.
We can retake the shots at Fuuran tomorrow or another day.
We can beg for forgiveness to Lieutenant Colonel Katahira,
and apologize until he forgives us from the bottom of his heart.
What...
Are we even doing?
Seriously...
Why does a cat have it?
Hey, come here!
Tama!
Mike!
Stop!
Come back!
Damn it.
Where'd he go?
You made it here also?
What do you mean "also"?
I was following that thieving cat...
It's a cat we're talking about.
You couldn't possibly have taken the same route.
Well I did, and I ended up here.
What about you?
How could you have known where the cat would go?
Well I did, and that's why I'm here.
Oh.
What are you two doing here?
Yukina!
Well, um...
How should I say...
Talk about coincidence!
Where're you headed?
There's a delicious cake house in Little Russia, so we're out for a snack.
I see.
We're also in quite a bit of a hurry, so...
Did you by any chance see a cat?
A cat?
I saw a few.
A white, fat cat with a long tail, and...
Stubby legs, and fast...
Oh?
I may have seen that somewhere...
Where?
Tell me where you saw it!
It's Baozi.
I see him often near Shouzai Restaurant.
It's a baozi-loving cat.
Wait a minute.
You've named him?
How do you know so much about the cat anyway?
Shouzai Restaurant!
Let's go!
What was that... about?
I would assume... they are headed to Baozi.
The cat?
Both the cat and baozi.
There you are.
This cat sniffed out the smell of baozi that Fuuran gave us.
He stole it, but it was unfortunately empty, huh?
So he came here.
You won't be stealing this time!
You thieving cat!
If you come here again, I'll cook you for dinner!
Is the film already developed?
Were you waiting long?
No, not at all.
I've got something for you.
It's first flush Darjeeling tea.
My...
Since I called you out, I figured I might as well.
It's for all your hard work as the only lady.
Thank you very much.
Really, you do a good job keeping up,
considering you're up against those difficult guys.
Those two?
Yes, they are quite different from each other.
But...
But?
I think they're a good pair.
Because they have different ways of doing things,
they complement each other when they seek a common goal.
One isn't better than the other.
They both have good and bad points.
Which makes things better.
Episode 04
Camera and Baozi and Stray Cat
The reflection of a man floats on the surface of the dark water.
It is a small negative film that was thought to be forgotten.
In the boiling heat, those left behind chase after a shadow,
but they never reach the shadow, it's like they are chasing after a mirage.
If only it rained, they could forget about it all.
Or so they thought.
Next time: A Negative Summer.
Next Episode
"A Negative Summer"