Is that all your feelings have to offer?
What?
Go ahead. Try to pry open my heart.
That's the only way you'll get me.
What does that mean? How can you be so egotistical?
Well?
What will you do?
How does Kyouya see me?
Am I really just a dog and nothing more?
Or is he starting to have feelings for me, even just a little?
While that was rattling around and around in my head...
I hear they've got lights out in the park!
It's December.
I suggested we watch it from the hotel since it's gonna be cold.
Oh? It's nice to take it easy, huh?
Today: Closing Ceremony
We're already to the closing ceremony.
I'm going snowboarding.
Snowboarding season isn't that long, and he's great at it.
Great, boyfriend talk.
Sounds fun. Can you snowboard with that many people around?
It used to bug me a little.
I don't care how many people there are.
It's our own little world!
Is he buying you a present?
Probably clothes or a ring?
Oh?
Now I'm just jealous!
I'm super jealous!
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
Impreg
An nable Defense
Chapter 5
What is it, Erika? Things not good with Sata?
What? Why do you ask?
You've been kinda crabby lately.
Well, uh...
You don't have any plans with Sata for Christmas?
O-Of course I do!
We'll eat cake and exchange presents and stuff!
That's so cliché.
Doesn't sound like Sata to me.
Totally basic.
Ugh...
I know! You wanna exchange selfies from our Christmas dates?
Sounds good. Let's do it.
Erika, you send one too.
Huh?
I'm getting excited!
Tezuka, no dirty ones.
Huh? I wouldn't send them.
That's right.
It's almost Christmas.
So that's how it is. San, what should I do?
Before I answer, why the bathroom?
I wanted to go back to how it all started.
What?
You must really be stumped.
By the way, you have that friend of Sata helping you, right?
Why not ask him for advice again?
No way! Takeru's a really good person, and he's helped me a lot!
But Kyouya's so twisted and so hard to crack! He can't do anything!
Okay, I get it. Calm down already.
I've tried all kinds of things, but I don't know how he feels at all.
What do you want to do with him for Christmas?
Huh? Well, I don't wanna do anything all that special.
Just eat cake and be together, the normal stuff!
Then why not just tell him that?
Huh?
You've told him how you feel.
Why not ask him out like a normal person?
You want to be a wolf-free girl, don't you?
Like a normal person, huh?
I want to do it.
I want to spend Christmas together.
They should put heaters in the halls too.
That moment you step out of the classroom is pretty awful, huh?
Should I try asking him out?
H-Hey.
It's almost Christmas, right?
It is.
Huh? That response seemed more pointed than usual.
Do you not like it much?
Christmas is shit.
Shit?
What's so fun about it?
The event people control everything.
There are huge crowds, and you hear all the same songs on TV and around town.
Can't we do something about it all?
In the end, your only choice is watching movies in your room.
He has the thought process of an unpopular guy.
So, what was that about Christmas?
Why are you going into Prince Mode now?
N-Nothing.
All right, then.
I can't ask him out after hearing that!
Or was he trying to put me off in a roundabout way?
Well, it's not like I really care.
I didn't have high hopes from the start.
But what about the selfie?
Going all this way for an alibi, huh?
I think your selfie is pretty pointless, though.
It's just about showing off.
I told you, I can't just not send it.
I promised.
It'd be pathetic if you were the only one without one, I guess.
Women are such a pain.
We really are.
But despite everything he said, he's still going out with me.
What?
N-Nothing.
I wonder if this is what a Christmas date feels like.
Accessory Shop
Big Sale!
Sir!
Huh?
Would you like to get a present for your girlfriend?
Girls just love this one.
No thank you.
I've got a much better one prepared.
That was a rude way of turning her down.
That type won't give up if you don't shut them down.
I don't get the point of Christmas presents, though.
Isn't it some guy's birthday?
That doesn't matter. If it's fun, you don't need a reason.
Oh?
Then maybe I'll buy you something too.
What is it? What are you gonna buy me?
Let me see.
A collar, perhaps?
Huh?
A collar... like for a dog?
I could buy a leash too and take you for a walk every morning.
What do you think?
I want it!
Can we really?!
I want it! We'll take walks every morning!
It was a joke. Don't take it seriously.
It was a joke?
Are you retarded or something? I couldn't use it.
Well, that's true, but...
If you want to take the next step into that world, you can go by yourself.
No, it's not like that.
J-Just getting a present from someone you love makes it special.
I'd treasure anything you gave me.
I can't tell if women are a pain or just gullible.
We really are.
By the way, is that what you're after?
Huh?
The big tree.
The big heart at the center is so tacky.
Huh? It's cute!
Whatever.
Let's just take the picture and go home.
Huh?
Okay...
I wonder if we can get the tree in the shot.
Use your scarf to hide your school uniform.
Oh, right. They'll catch us otherwise.
What are you doing? Hurry up already.
It's hard to take it so they can't see our uniforms.
Just give it here.
Come on, smile.
Oh man...
This is okay, right?
The tree's in the shot too.
We just touched cheeks...
Here.
Let's go.
Oh. Thanks.
Um...
We actually look like a real couple!
I look kind of stiff, though.
They'll be able to tell I'm nervous.
I'm so embarrassed.
Kyouya's perfect, though.
He's calm and collected like always.
Totally flawless. Perfect.
I wonder if he'll ever smile like that at me.
Hey, Erika.
It's cold. Let's go inside somewhere.
S-Sure.
I guess I'm stupid for getting all excited by myself.
Oh, come on! I can't keep getting depressed!
I don't know that it won't work out yet.
I decided that as long as there's hope, I'd love the hell out of him.
But that light of hope might just be a passing whim for him.
I can't tell if it's real or not.
Hey.
What's wrong?
M...
What?
My stomach... hurts.
An Impregnable Defense
This sucks.
Here.
Take some stomach medicine.
Then rest until you're feeling better.
You went all the way to a pharmacy to get that for me?
Be grateful I'm doing this fetch work for you.
Thanks. How much was it?
I don't want your money.
B-But I feel bad.
Listen. What did you do when I had a fever?
Don't make me the only charity case here.
Thanks.
I had forgotten all about that.
That said, getting a stomachache? Are you an old man?
Old man...
What's wrong with you? You look worried.
What's wrong with me?! It's your own fault!
That's what I want to say, but it might not be fair to threaten him.
Hm?
What is it?
If you want to talk, I'll listen.
No, he knows everything. He's just having fun.
That's the kind of person he is.
Okay, just one thing.
What am I to you?
Just a toy to kill time?
Just a useful dog to satisfy your needs?
Is that all?
Is there no special feeling, not even a little?
Who knows?
If you say that, I'll throw this water in your face!
Hey.
Please, just tell me.
I like you, Erika.
What?
You didn't realize?
No matter how useful she is, I couldn't stay with a girl I didn't like.
It's the same thing with a toy. If you don't like it, you get tired of it and throw it out.
It's like that.
I've been too shy to say it,
but I've liked you for a long time.
No way...
Really?
Don't cry.
I'm sorry.
I never thought you'd say it like that, so I'm just so happy.
I see.
I'm sorry for teasing you for so long.
It's okay! All's well that ends well!
I'm really a simple person!
But that's what makes you so cute.
Welcome! How many?
Two.
Oh yeah, I want to spend the 24th with you.
You mean Christmas?
Yeah!
Doing what?
Just the usual stuff.
And what's that?
Like eating fried chicken and cake together, and exchanging presents.
It's my first Christmas with a boyfriend, so I want to do all the clichés.
That's very economical.
You don't want to?
Sure. It'd be fun to do those things with you.
Kyouya...
So? How long should I keep up the charade?
What?
You really are simple.
You trust way too easily.
You still don't understand me at all.
I'd never say anything so sweet.
You need to learn a little.
How are you going to live your life this way?
You'll get taken in by a con man some day.
You're terrible.
You're terrible!
I hope you die, you piece of shit!
Um, are you okay?
Should I bring you a towel?
No, I'm fine.
B-But...
Idiot.
Stupid.
Asshole!
I hate him!
I really get it now.
He doesn't care about me at all.
That's why he doesn't mind telling such awful lies.
I've had enough. I'm so tired.
I'm so tired of being in love.
I can't do it.
Christmas without someone to love is just another day.
Erika.
Aren't you going to eat some Christmas cake?
No. I don't want any.
Don't want any?
You've been locked in your room since yesterday.
You're barely even eating.
It's fine.
I'm on a diet.
Leave me alone.
What did Erika say?
She doesn't want any.
But she's always gotten so excited about Christmas, ever since she was little.
She's at a difficult age, I suppose.
Tachibana Marin
Tezuka Aki
Merry Xmas!
Hmph. Lucky them. They look so happy.
I guess I'd better send mine.
But what's the point of sending it?
I can't keep up the pretend dating with him.
I quit.
I don't care if they catch me.
So what if they shun me?
It's better than staying with Kyouya.
That's right. Better than that jerk.
Spin around three times and bark.
You're the dog. I'm your master.
You have no power to refuse me.
It's a dog's job to risk life and limb for its master, right?
Why not spend your days in anguish, hanging on my every word and action?
How long should I keep up the charade?
He really is terrible.
Why did I fall for someone like him?
You're my girlfriend.
Shut up and let me protect you.
She does belong to me.
It pisses me off when you hurt her for no reason.
I decided that I don't mind thanking you.
I hate it when you get persistent, so I'll just believe you.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.
Kyouya, you jerk.
Why do you have to be so half-heartedly kind?
You got my hopes up so much.
I can't forget you that easily.
Erika, can I come in?
Give up already! I said I don't want any cake!
Your boyfriend's here to see you.
Take your time.
Thanks.
Why?
Why are you here?
I'm not wearing any makeup!
And my room's a mess!
I came to discipline you.
Huh?
I waited all that time, and you never apologized.
You've gotten awfully stuck-up.
Apologize?
Why should I apologize to you?
Did you forget?
You threw water in your master's face and told him to die.
Do you really think that's appropriate?
You deserved it!
Shut up.
I'm going to prove to you one more time that you're my dog.
What?
I put it on.
Your collar.
This is... you mean... for Christmas...
Let me warn you.
A real collar would make people wonder what I'm into, so I just chose a random stand-in.
It's the proof that you belong to me, so don't forget it.
Ahhh...
Th-Thank you.
I'm so happy.
It's not fair.
You're making it impossible for me to leave you again.
How many times are you going to deceive me before you're satisfied?
I'll treasure it.
Don't cry.
Hey, Kyouya.
Is it okay if I believe what you said back then, just a little?
I like you, Erika.
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
We're not at home at the moment.
Please leave a message at the beep.
The smell of chocolate entangles one's feelings.
Will Erika's offer earn sympathy or betrayal?
Next time: "Preparing For Battle. - Valentine's Day -"
Next time Chapter 6 Preparing for Battle
It's all in the name of love.