Aw, man!
I thought the rainy season was over.
I didn't bring an umbrella.
Same here.
I'm gonna have my boyfriend pick me up.
Hey! No fair!
Having an older boyfriend comes in handy sometimes.
You want him to give you a lift too?
That won't be necessary.
Taking Erika home is my duty.
Huh?
You heard the man. Bye-bye!
Say hi to your older boyfriend.
Hmph! The car's easier.
Atsu! Come here with an umbrella right now!
Right now!
Isn't he nice? Doesn't his smile just shine?
Sata Kyouya is my beloved boyfriend.
We're every bit the loving couple we seem to be!
Or so we pretend.
Hey, I'm getting wet. Lean it in a little closer.
I'm sorry, but I'm right on the edge here myself.
I see.
As you wish.
I can drop the boyfriend act at any time.
Huh?!
If it turns out you never really had a boyfriend, you'll be all alone tomorrow.
I'm sorry.
Yes! A dog has to be smart.
In reality, I'm no one's girlfriend. I'm just a slave!
I don't
want to be alone
I will just obey you
I didn't use
to have a master
I just want to be with you
How can I?
I'll change the whole country
I know I can do it
If we're friends, then we're all free
I'll make us free
Yeah
We're
both liars, calm me down
I'll make it all true, just wait
I'll change this whole country
I know I can do it
If we're friends, then you're free
You'll see
I've found love
Bless my heartfire
Blind
Chapter 2
A Rash and Act
Everyone's fooled by his appearance!
But he's bad to the bone.
A total hustler.
You're one to talk, Wolf Girl.
You knew that, yet you made him your fake boyfriend anyway?
He's in the same class as you, right, San?
Yeah.
Sata!
He didn't seem like the type to play along with one of your little farces, though.
He just did it to make me his slave.
Yes, yes.
But you're going along with it, aren't you?
You're a masochist.
Why would you say that?!
Because a normal person wouldn't take it.
But you're that type of person.
Am not!
I really hate having to do what he says.
But as an adult, I can be a little patient and get through it.
I just take the stance that I'm the one using him!
Whatever helps her sleep at night.
What a pain.
You should just get a real boyfriend.
You make it sound so easy.
I've never even fallen for a guy, let alone gone out with one.
Really? You've never fallen for anyone?
There're guys I've crushed on and all,
but that's different from wanting to kiss them or play lovey-dovey with them.
More "like" than "love," huh?
But why not go with that?
It's better than pretending to be a sadistic prince's pet, right?
Because I want to really fall in love!
S-Sorry.
I've been with Marin and Tezuka since I entered high school, you know?
When I look at them, I think...
When they talk about their boyfriends, Marin and Tezuka both seem to shine.
"They're so lovely. They look so happy," I think.
I thought that when I got a real boyfriend, I'd like to have someone who did the same to me.
Then first you have to find someone you could fall in love with.
H-How?
Hmm, maybe you should start looking at men as potential partners, then.
Potential partners?
There might be one right under your nose, and you just never noticed it!
I see.
That sounds like a plan!
Hotties...
'Sup, Yuuko?
The more I look at them with that in mind, the less I see anyone who seems right.
But maybe I've just had bad luck. It's possible I could still meet someone!
Ugh. You're eating potato rolls.
Want some, Tezuka?
No waaay.
Erika, you got visitors.
Huh?
Ugh...
Fans of your boyfriend, I think.
Huh?
I think they're totally calling you out!
Dating the "prince" is rough business, I guess.
We heard you're dating Sata. Is that true?
Well, actually...
It's a lie.
You serious?
How could you do this?
I-It just sort of happened?
Huh?!
Listen, you. Sata is basically an idol around here.
You're supposed to be satisfied with looking, not touching!
That's the unspoken rule between us!
"Us"? I'm no fan of that jerk.
Who cares?
Huh?
Well, I thought that rule was just for people who don't have the courage to tell him their feelings.
You... Give me a break!
Anyway, break up with him! Sata can't belong to anyone!
Give our prince back!
There are reasons why I can't do that!
Stop this!
You're in high school. Stop acting like children.
It's pathetic.
And three on one? That's pathetic!
Shut up! Who are you, anyway?
It's none of your business!
Wh-What?
Leave it for today. Let's go.
Who is that guy? What a pain in the ass.
He's just at that age. We can let it slide.
You okay?
Oh, yeah. I'm fine.
Um, thank you.
You saved me.
Not at all. I have a hard time letting that sort of thing go.
I can't stand seeing people pick on the little guy.
What's your name?
Sh-Shinohara Erika.
I'm Kimura. Class 7.
You're a freshman, right? I am too, so you don't need to be so formal.
Yes! I mean... sure.
Huh? Is saying "yes" formal?
What are you losing your head for?
Kimura... from class 7...
Okay, here you go!
He seemed really nice.
He didn't seem sarcastic, and he was pretty handsome.
I wonder if he's popular with girls.
Hey, you spilled some.
Oh!
Don't act unseemly.
It reflects badly on me too.
Yeah, yeah. I'm sorry already.
That's right. He's popular with girls too.
What?
How many girls have you dated before me?
None.
Huh? How come? You're so popular with the girls.
So what? No girl's ever gotten me serious about them.
But you said you had no lack of girls before, right?
I do have no lack of them.
Huh?
Beast...
Y-You're awful!
Beast...
I knew you'd say that.
Beast...
Romance is superfluous.
Huh?
I don't mind having it, but I'm not in the mood to chase it.
Is that such a big deal?
What made you so cold?
I know it's possible to live without romance. But...
Hey, my guy Atsu started cryin' again.
What a dumbass. Dump him and find a new guy already.
Nah. It's just proof of how much he loves me!
Oh, is that it?
I want to find love too.
Kimura!
Hey.
What's wrong? Are you waiting for someone?
Should I pass along a message?
No. I was waiting for you, Shinohara.
F-For me?
I was worried they might come after you again.
I was afraid I might've done something to make it worse.
But it looks like everything's fine.
I'm glad.
Later!
Th-Thanks!
He came all this way because he was worried about me?
Ahh...
Clumsy.
He used me as a shield!
You can't beat my Excalibur!
My Rhongomyniad is better!
I'm the one with Excalibur!
Ow... Huh? My Excalibur...
What are you doing?
C'mon already.
I'm sorry!
Hey, wait!
Where are you going?
Clumsy!
Hey. Poochie.
Fetch.
Huh? Why should I do that?
Didn't you hear me? I said, fetch.
You're a dog, right?
Many minutes later
You're late. What took you so long?
B-But I didn't know where it went.
You could've picked up anything that looked about right.
This is where those lies of yours should come in handy.
What a moron.
Is that for me?
What are you getting your hopes up for? Bad dog.
You're not getting a treat.
I-I wasn't hoping for...
Bullseye...
Good grief.
Looks like I need to train you again from square one.
This guy is literally the worst.
So, she...
If only I'd met Kimura before him...
Then now, I wouldn't be...
Excuse me!
I-It's fine.
Sorry!
Wh-What is...
Sorry about the ball!
Excuse me!
Wh-What's going on here?
Why's this happening to me?
Shinohara?
Are you okay?
Kimura?
Can you stand?
Thank you.
That's the guy who came by here before, right?
Yeah.
Oh?
You're late, Satsie!
Satsie?
Erika went to the nurse's office with another guy.
Oh?
It doesn't look good. You'd better go after them.
Bet she's cheating on you.
A Rash and Blind Act
Should be okay now.
Thanks.
You're so nice, Kimura.
Like a superhero.
I wouldn't do it for anyone but you.
Oh?
Hey...
Sunday's coming up. Would you go somewhere with me?
S-Sure!
Great.
Then meet me at Kobatodai Station at 1 o'clock?
Sure!
I know. I'll give you my email address.
M-Me too!
Looks like you're having fun, Erika.
K-Kyouya! What are you doing here?
Tezuka and Marin said you went to the nurse's office. I was worried.
I brought your bag.
Those two...
Who's this?
Th-This is Kimura from class 7!
He saved me from some scary girls before, and today I scraped my knee...
Oh?
Well, well.
I hope you'll let me thank you too.
Let's go, Erika.
Oh? Um, yeah...
Hey. Give me your cell phone.
Why?
Just do it already.
What are you doing?!
This is your fault.
Don't go wagging your tail for other men.
I-I wasn't wagging my tail.
Never speak to him again.
How come?! I can do what I want, can't I?
You're not even my real boyfriend! It's not even really cheating!
Oh? Have you forgotten the position you're in?
You're the dog. I'm your master.
You have no power to refuse me.
Understood.
That's a good girl.
Let's go home.
Or so I'll say.
But I think you're the one who's forgotten.
Once I have a real boyfriend, I can throw you right out!
Sunday
Kimura!
Shinohara!
Sorry for making you wait.
I wasn't waiting at all.
That outfit is really cute!
R-Really?
I thought it was a little too safe.
Shall we?
Yeah!
For today, I don't have to do what he tells me.
After all...
I've never felt this walking-on-air feeling before.
For the first time, I've found someone who could be "the one."
Here.
Thank you. Um...
Don't worry. It's on me.
Oh.
Thanks.
No, thank you.
I had a lot of fun.
Me too!
So, I've been wondering...
That guy from before... He was your boyfriend, right?
Th-That's just...
I'm sorry I invited you out when you have a boyfriend.
I'm probably just bothering you.
N-Not at all.
Kyouya's not my boyfriend!
But you're going out, right?
No!
For certain reasons, he was pretending to be my boyfriend,
but we're not really going out.
Is that... true?
Yeah! So it's totally fine.
I was actually really happy you asked me.
If you don't mind, I'd like to go out with someone for real.
No way in hell!
Huh?
Why would I date someone like you if you're not Sata's girl?
What am I doing? You should've told me earlier.
This was a waste of time and money.
K-Kimura?
I'm sorry.
Long ago, Sata stole my girlfriend from me.
So I wanted to steal his girlfriend to get back at him.
I just wanted him to know how it felt.
So anyway, forget all this, okay?
Later!
I see. I see. That makes sense.
I thought you had the same smell about you as me.
Sata!
Taking revenge out of spite?
That's weak.
Shut up! You're the one who stole my girlfriend!
I don't remember stealing anyone.
I think that girlfriend of yours fell for me on her own.
I'm sorry, Kimura.
I'm in love with someone else. Will you break up with me?
What did you just...
Oh! Sata!
Let's walk home together!
Anyway...
Don't beat around the bush.
Come at me directly.
Wh-What, you wanna fight?
No way. I hate violence.
C'mon. Let's go home, Erika.
Kimura, was it really all a lie?
From the start?
Everything you said... Everything you did...
All of it?
It's your fault for being tricked.
I mean, how desperate for a man are you?
I say a few nice things, and you fall for me right away.
I'd never go for a girl as desperate as you.
That hurt!
I thought you hated violence!
Yeah. I said that.
So?
What the hell?
You two really are dating!
No, we're not.
Give it up already.
But she does belong to me.
It pisses me off when you hurt her for no reason.
Dummy...
I'm not an object.
You really never learn.
How many times are you going to get fooled?
You should learn from your time with me.
Did you know about Kimura from the start?
Of course. And about your lie too.
You knew it all, but you still came?
But no more getting me involved in this nonsense, okay?
Next time, I'll throw you out a window.
Right.
Oh, well.
I had my first love, I guess.
You idiot.
That hurts.
You'd gotten yourself up in a tizzy about romance, right?
"Love" you experience in that state is just self-delusion.
Huh?
There's no point in getting depressed over love like that.
Could it be...
What are you looking at? I'm not buying you one just because you're depressed.
It's hard to tell, but I think he's trying to make me feel better.
What? Was that...
What's wrong?
It might be closer than you thought. You just never noticed it!
Could it be...
Let's get going, Poochie.
It's just not possible.
I might have to train you again from square one.
I don't think.
Outside I can see the rain puddles
None of that is important for us
I didn't know
I could understand alone
Into this world
light has come
We live a total lie,
but it let me meet you
You influence me
like I'm under a magic spell
We live a total lie,
but it let me fall in love with you
Play around more
with my wolf heart
Don't give peace
to my wolf heart
Summer vacation ends. Erika prepares to return to the masochist's life.
But Sata isn't there when the new term begins.
Can Erika save Sata?
Next time: "A Precipitous Drop. - Fall in. -"
Next time Chapter 3 A Precipitous Drop
It's all in the name of love.