Midterms until midday. Students then gather for an assembly and learn that new teachers have been hired and will debut next week. The Student Council meets to discuss the situation. Then Shiryu asks Mei to take him to Chinatown due to rumors he overheard. Overwhelmed at first, Shiryu gets so excited that he goes on a shopping spree. Upon his return to the dorm, he shows bags of goods and still has allowance left. Then he decorates his dorm to make it Chinese with incense and bamboo plants.
The weather for today is sunny and cloudy.
The BBs and the students are gathered for an assembly by Mitsuru, who speaks at the podium.
Mitsuru – Good morning! I understand this is sudden, especially after midterm exams, but I promise you this will be brief. New faculty members have been hired.
Everyone, including BBs, perks up.
Mitsuru – They've been hired and will start to teach on Monday. I implore every student who dropped out temporarily to return, as the school will continue its course. I also ask you to respect the new teachers and make them feel welcome. Thank you for your cooperation.
Mitsuru finishes and leaves the stage. The BBs turn to each other.
Seiya – New teachers hired... I wonder what they're like. Hopefully, they're not like those we've met.
Hyoga – The best-case scenario is hope for a nice teacher like Haruka-san.
Shun – Considering those three look like them, do you think the others will?
Shiryu – Who knows? We still have to attend regardless.
The SC president approaches Shiryu.
SC president – Shiryu-kun, are you available for a meeting right now. It's about the assembly.
Shiryu – Sure I do, Senpai.
SC president – Great! I'll see you then. (darts) Ah! These are your friends. I'm the Student Council president, in case you didn't know.
Seiya (waves) Hi!
Shun (bows) Nice to meet you.
The SC president leaves.
Hyoga – Is she really a student? She looks grown up.
Shiryu – I have to get going. I'll see you at the dorm.
Seiya (grins) See you later!
[Student Council office]
SC president – Alright, we're here to discuss the director's speech.
Vice president – The sudden arrival of new teachers might make students restless. So, we must be prepared to support them whenever they need us.
SC president – We give the new teachers the benefit of the doubt. Time will tell who they are.
Vice president – And with that said, this brief meeting ends.
Everyone leaves, and Shiryu approaches Mei.
Shiryu – Mei-san, Can I ask you?
Mei – Sure, what do you need?
Shiryu – I've overheard some students talking about a place called "China Town." Is that true?
Mei – Chinatown is one word, Shiryu-kun. It's a real place located in Yokohama.
Shiryu (confused) Yokohama?
Mei – It's a well-known city not far from here.
Shiryu (gasps) Can we go there now?
Mei – Midterms are over, and I can use a break, so let's go.
The pair board the train to Yokohama, where Chinatown is. Once they exit the station, Shiryu looks around and is disappointed because he fails to see anything Chinese-related.
[Yokohama Chinatown]
Mei - So here we are.
Shiryu - Okay, but is that it?
Mei - Sure it is.
Shiryu - I don't see anything like it. It's just buildings all over.
Mei (sweatdrop) We just have to cross the street.
Shiryu - If you say so... Is that a gate I see?
Mei - I told you. We're already here.
Shiryu (amazed) It's a Chinese gate without a doubt... in Japan! How did this happen?
Mei - It happened a long time ago when Chinese immigrants came here.
Shiryu - And those same people built it, right?
Mei - Uh, yes.
Shiryu - I see... It's okay to go through here, right? It's not going to transport us or anything... yes?
Mei (sweatdrop) It's just a regular gate, Shiryu-kun.
Shiryu (smiles) That's good to know. Let's go in!
Once they pass the entrance gate, they find themselves surrounded by crowds of people and shopping stalls on both sides, left and right. It's a neighborhood, but it more resembles a festival.
Shiryu (thrilled) It's so crowded, like the market I used to go to.
Mei - Shiryu-kun, do you come from China by any chance?
Shiryu - I'm not a native, but I lived in China.
Mei - I see. No wonder you were persistent in coming. Chinatown is basically one big market. Hm? Are you okay? You're shivering for some reason.
Shiryu (shaking) I'm okay... It's just so many familiar things that come to mind.
Mei (worried) You're making me worry...
Shiryu (geeked out) Is that a little statue? That's from the Five Ancient Peaks! What's it doing here? And what? They're cheap?! I'll buy twenty. Wait! I have to save my money. Oh, wait! There's another one from the Ancient Peaks! Oh! I've seen this before. It's from that store I went to with Master... and what? Another one? There are so many to choose from, and they're so cheap... Wait! They have food too! Are those steam buns? Oh, these are my favorites! Incense sticks! Incense sticks! I'll buy that entire set. Chinese bamboo plants... I'll definitely get them! And, oh my gosh! Rows of clothing! The more I buy, the bigger the discount! Yes, sell them to me! I demand them all! Oh my gosh! Is that a Chinese temple? Definitely a Chinese temple! I wonder if we can go in, but I have all these bags, so I'll save it for another time. And Chinese New Year? They gotta celebrate! They have to celebrate! (readjusts) Forgive my sudden behavior, Mei-san. It's just I was overwhelmed... (excited) and so overjoyed!
Mei (surprised) I'm so happy for you.
Shiryu (happy) We'll come back, right? You will not say no!
Mei (fidgets) Shiryu-kun, this place will always be here. It's not going to shut down. We'll come back.
Shiryu - You mean it! (hugs) Thank you, thank you, thank you!
[Back at the dorm]
Seiya (grins) Hey, Shiryu! Welcome back!
Hyoga - You took forever. What happened?
Shiryu (light blush) Well, I went on a little trip today to another city not far, and it has this amazing place that I never thought existed.
Seiya - Really? What kind of place?
Shiryu - I never expected the likes of Rozan here in Japan. That place has a ton of goods to buy.
Hyoga - You blew all your allowance, is what you're saying.
Shiryu - On the contrary (displays bags on each arm), I still have allowance left!
Seiya (surprised) Whoa! Are those shopping bags?
Shiryu – Yes, they are. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go to my room.
Shiryu dashes away.
Shun (sweatdrop) Is Shiryu okay? I don't remember him acting like that.
Ikki - And his new look doesn't help, either.
Shiryu then decorates his dorm with bamboo plants and incense sticks. Now he has—mostly purple—Chinese clothing in addition to regular ones. He's so happy to have his special place outside of Ancient Peaks.
