Winter vacation began with an almost picturesque Christmas.
We went skating and took our first shrine visit of the new year together.
45th Fortune
Terrible Luck
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
We had no time to catch our breath.
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Lost Items: Won't be found
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Contacts: Won't come, won't contact you
Ambitions: Don't push your luck
Yeah, right.
I haven't heard a single thing from him!
You have no messages
Why not?!
Opening ceremony already.
Winter vacation flew by fast, huh?
Summer vacation was the same way.
Kyouya!
Good morning! And happy new year!
What are you, a dog who comes running to her master?
My first Kyouya of the new year.
B-B-But you didn't call or text me at all during winter break!
What were you doing?
Oh.
I was getting tons of annoying spam, so I turned my phone off.
So mean.
I didn't say it was from you.
What? Really?
What? Were you crying about being left alone again?
I didn't cry!
After all, I have this!
I remember what you said.
It's the proof that you belong to me, so don't forget it.
Now that I have this, I don't sweat the small stuff!
You seem awfully relaxed.
Huh?
But you should know, I can throw you out whenever I want.
And when that happens, that thing will cease to have any meaning.
No Meaning
So mean.
But he does think of me as special, right?
It might be love for a pet more than romance.
But I'll do my best! Until the day I level up from dog to girlfriend!
First, I'll run full speed ahead to that event!
Woof!
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
Day Shift: Kusakabe
Wow! This stuff is way high class!
Not really. This is nothing.
So you say.
But I know this is a little beyond your means.
Huh?
You want your older boyfriend to think you're all mature, right?
Don't be stupid.
So what about you, anyway?
Tomorrow, we're eating cake together!
How about you, Erika?
Of course I'm making chocolate!
Pre
paring for Battle
Chapter 6
Seriously? I can't believe you're doing something that takes so long.
But I really want to put my feelings into it!
What's that? You're saying buying it means there's no love in it?
No, no! It's just how I feel.
Just self-satisfaction!
Whatcha making?
Um...
I haven't decided yet!
Um...
What's wrong? It's easy.
But as long as I'm doing it, I want to work hard!
Excuse m—
Then I'll test it for poison!
Bring some, okay?
You just want to eat it.
Huh? Kusakabe?
Do you need something?
Well, I'm on day shift today.
Kusakabe Yuu
Your math notebooks...
Okay, okay.
We'll bring all three of ours together later.
I'm sorry. Please do.
How long has Kusakabe been there?
How are we supposed to know he's there when he talks so soft?
Kyouya may hate special events, but I'm sure he won't mind getting chocolate!
I wonder what kind of chocolate would be best.
Whatever kind it is, I don't want it.
I hate sweet things.
Whatever you force on me, I'll just give to Takeshi.
It's a huge pain, every year.
The worst holiday there is.
I-I see.
Total failure.
But I really wanted to make chocolate for him.
Consumerist idiot.
What?
There are all kinds of chocolate out there.
If you bring something I can eat, I won't not accept it.
Now I'm really getting into this!
You're taking forever. Hurry up already.
S-Sorry. My wallet...
Kusakabe?
I'm sorry! I'll take it all back.
I'll pay!
Sh-Shinohara...
It's okay. You can pay me back later.
How much is it?
2800 yen.
I'm so sorry.
I'll pay you back right away.
What's your address?
It's okay to pay me back tomorrow.
I have something to do at home.
I'm sorry!
We're not even that close, but I caused you so much trouble.
It's fine!
I'm not the kind of person who can ignore someone in need.
Well, I'd like to say something cool like that.
But I think I just wanted the high from doing a good deed.
Seriously, don't worry about it, okay?
All right. Thank you, Shinohara.
Um...
So that's what your face looks like.
S-Sorry.
Huh? Why are you apologizing?
I just have a really girlish face.
And I'm skinny,
so people have always said I look kind of creepy...
Creepy!
You look like a ghost!
So I think I make people uncomfortable when I get too close.
So negative.
Hey, Shinohara...
You don't make me uncomfortable at all.
You're actually really comforting!
O-Oh, no. You don't need to be so considerate.
But it's true!
I want to make you my phone's screensaver and stare at it!
Please stop!
When you cover for me like that, it makes me want to apologize more.
Honestly, you keep shooting everything down.
Don't you think that's a little rude to do when someone's being serious?
What?
If people are saying things about you, it may just be because of your timid attitude.
I'm sorry.
Oh, sorry.
I'm not angry or anything.
It just feels like kind of a waste.
Anyway, I'm sure that no one would get uncomfortable looking at you!
You should have confidence and be yourself.
Okay?
Thank you, Shinohara.
I can't act confident right away.
But I can work on not always looking at the ground.
Sure! Go for it!
By the way, didn't you say you had something to do at home?
That's right! I forgot!
Bye! See you tomorrow!
All right. See you tomorrow.
Okay! The shape is perfect this time!
It's great!
I bet not even he can find fault with these!
Prior Attempts
Shinohara!
Kusakabe! Good morning!
L-Listen, Shinohara!
I decided to say "good morning!" as loudly as I could to a few people.
And they actually said "good morning" back!
Like it was normal!
I told you, didn't I?
They didn't care about me one way or the other!
Stop talking that way!
You're right.
Maybe I'm the one who was being too cynical.
But I feel a lot better thanks to you.
I thought so yesterday too, but...
What if you pushed your bangs back, like this?
I bet you'd be really popular with the girls.
U-Um... no thanks.
Huh? How come?
You seem really nice.
Erika. Good morning.
K-Kyouya! What's wrong?
I was cold.
You're very warm.
D-Don't use me as a hot water bottle.
You don't like it?
I-I don't mind, but...
W-Well, I'll go on, then.
S-Sure.
You know, to outsiders, we must look like a couple stupidly in love.
Oh, you're right.
You jerk!
Anyway, who was the boring guy you were talking to just now?
Huh? Kusakabe?
He's in my class, but...
Is something wrong?
Not really.
L-Listen!
I brought it today. The chocolate, I mean.
I was hoping you'd fail.
Too bad!
I'll give it to you at lunch. Wait for me on the bench in the courtyard.
All that trouble? Sounds like a pain.
It's a promise, okay?
I don't have a choice, I guess.
Preparing For Battle
Kusakabe!
Shinohara...
You okay? You look a little pale.
Oh, I look pale more often than not.
Don't worry about it.
Really?
Chocolate? Homemade, right?
Are they for your boyfriend?
Yeah. Making this is the thing I had to do yesterday.
Well, I hope he likes them.
Kusakabe?
Oh, sorry. I tend to get melancholy around Valentine's.
Really, why don't you pull back your bangs?
I think you'd get chocolate.
That's not what's bothering me.
It's that my mother and my big sister start acting strange.
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sis
Mom
Sis
Mom
Sis
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
Mom
Sister
I'm sorry you were born like this!
Please, just don't start swinging the other way!
That's what I'd expect from Kusakabe's family.
The fact that they get so worried is the hardest part.
It's okay, right? To give them as a friend?
Well, do your best.
Wait!
Here. Now your family can rest easy.
N-No thanks. That's not why I...
Besides, that's for your boyfriend.
I've got lots, so don't worry.
Just take it! Okay?
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Later!
I'm supposed to meet him soon, so...
It's cold.
Why did that idiot want to meet outside?
Kyouya's not here yet?
Whoops.
Kyouya!
Jeez, you're late.
Lunch break's almost over.
I came, didn't I? Don't complain.
Jeez...
Well, let's get right to it. Here!
Ta-da! I decided to make cupcakes!
It's coffee chocolate.
It won't be sweet.
I think even you can handle it.
Oh?
So you worked your hardest on these...
for me, right?
I don't want this nonsense.
Hey, wait!
Why?!
You said you'd try them! Liar!
I checked to make sure they tasted okay!
You think I care how they taste?
I wouldn't eat something so disgusting if it killed me.
What's that? What does that mean?
You gave some to that Kusakabe kid, didn't you?
Oh. There's a reason for that.
It was just a thing between friends.
You're the only one I'm giving chocolates to with feeling behind it.
I don't care about that.
You're putting that little wimp on the same level as me.
Huh?
I just don't like it.
An herbivore like that? Don't be stupid!
Men like him are just cowards who won't do crap unless the woman makes the first move.
Don't put me on the same level as a man like that!
Why are you talking like that?
Oh?
What do you know about Kusakabe?
It's true he might not be flashy at a glance, and he's a bit timid,
but he'd never make fun of someone the way you do!
He's a nice guy who considers others' feelings!
In that regard, he's leagues above you!
I see.
You can ask him to play your boyfriend, then.
He's nice, so I'm sure he'll say okay.
Huh?
I was having so much fun today.
How did it come to this?
Huh? Is this my fault?
Shinohara!
You okay?
That was close. You should watch where you're going.
I'm sorry.
I see. It's after school already.
You've been spacing out since lunch.
Did something happen?
I'll listen, if you want to talk.
It's okay.
Sorry to make a fuss.
Not at all!
I might only be able to offer platitudes,
but I want to help ease your mind.
I want to do something for you.
You're so cool.
I hate Valentine's Day.
What kinda douchebag are you?
Apologize to Erika right now!
Why should I?
She said there was a good reason why she gave him chocolate, right?
Did you ask her what that was?
Who cares?
What matters is that it made me mad.
A man's jealousy is a sad thing.
Who said I was jealous?
Am I supposed to be happy because my pet dog licked me?
You know...
I bet you think Erika would never leave you.
You think that no matter what awful thing you do to her, she'll come after you.
But you're totally underestimating her.
You're not the only man in the world, you know.
If this keeps up, Erika's going to run into the arms of another man.
So I'll lose one way of killing time.
That's all it would be.
He got mad over something so childish!
Isn't that a little ridiculous?
Someone as awful as him, looking down on me from up high?!
What the hell is wrong with him and jumping to conclusions?!
S-Sorry!
This happened because you gave me chocolate, right?
No way! This isn't your fault!
I still don't think I was in the wrong there.
I'm actually glad he rejected it.
So that's how he is?
He always seemed so nice.
He's not nice at all !
He just plays nice in front of others.
He's so stuck-up and domineering.
He's always finding fault, and he's really twisted.
He's the kind of guy who gets his kicks by teasing me.
He can be nice sometimes, but he makes me cry way more often.
But you still love him, right? I mean...
If he does so many awful things, why...
Well... I don't know why.
With the kind of guy he is, maybe I'd be better off dumping him.
I keep worrying over the same things.
Why do I have to love him, even when he makes me feel like this?
Sh-Shinohara...
W-Would you accept me?
Huh?
I know I'm not attractive compared to him.
I can't say I'm better than him.
But I'd never make you cry... or worry... ever!
Kusakabe...
He's serious, isn't he?
Unlike him, he's not the type to lie or put on a performance.
I was surprised, but maybe it's a good thing after all.
If dating him is really hard on you, I'm here, so...
Y-You don't have to decide right away.
Think about it.
Think about the decision that would make you happiest.
Ever since I fell for Kyouya, I've never even thought about looking at another guy.
The decision that would make me happiest...
You have no new messages.
Sata.
You need to go to the teaching materials room during lunch.
Sanda.
What is it?
Never mind.
Isn't six kind of big?
It really is.
Excuse me.
H-Hello.
Hi.
U-Um...
What did you want to talk about?
Sh-Shinohara...
Do you really love her?
Huh?
How I feel about her is no concern of yours, is it?
Th-Then tell me this one thing.
Even though you're dating, do you hurt her and treat her badly?
I'm just living honestly.
I'm not hurting her because I like to.
But you know that you're making her suffer, right?
That's obvious.
Then why can't you be nicer to her?
I don't know.
When I see the way she turns red or pale at one word from me...
I just can't seem to stop.
It's clear to me now.
Shinohara's wasted on you.
I love Shinohara!
I told her how I felt yesterday.
I'm waiting to hear her response.
I'm not especially good at anything,
and I'm rather pathetic as a man in many ways,
but I'll do everything I can to make her smile.
That wouldn't make sense to someone who only uses her to sate his superiority complex, I guess.
Do whatever you want, all of you.
Become her boyfriend and make her happy or whatever.
You suit each other.
I'm sure you'll have a pure and beautiful relationship.
You really don't love her, do you?
A woman like that was just a way to kill time from the start.
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
Cruel words break Erika's heart.
Losing hope, the Wolf Girl places her hands on her collar.
Next time: "Mutual Love. - White Day -"
Next time Chapter 7 Mutual Love
It's all in the name of love.