Yes, we're in Kobe.
Mom? Yeah, we're here.
What's your mom like?
Huh? What's she like?
Just a normal middle-aged lady.
I need something more concrete!
It'll be fine, Erika.
She's not going to give you any tests or anything.
Hey, Mom's here!
Kyouya's...
mother?
Reika dear, welcome here!
I can't believe you came to meet us, Mom!
I had some business at the station, so I had Hitomi lend me her car.
Oh? Is this the little brother?
My! What a handsome young man!
If I weren't here on business, I'd make a pass.
Well, Reika. See you later!
That's the "Big Mom" who runs the local bar.
What?!
She's that kind of Mom?
Mom! This is Erika.
This is Kyou's girlfriend.
A pleasure to meet you, Erika.
A-A pleasure to meet you! My name is Shinohara Erika!
Thank you for coming all the way out here from Tokyo.
I'm so happy.
Y-Yeah.
Wow. What an elegant lady.
Was this really an appropriate souvenir?
It's been a while, Kyou.
How've you been?
Well, normal, I guess.
I see, I see! Normal is good.
I don't
seek love
I will just obey you
I don't even know
how to spell the word 'love'
I just want to be with you
I'll say 'woof' instead of 'yes'
I can do that, no problem
In return, you have to at least pretend to be my boyfriend
Yeah
As for me,
I'm a lying wolf girl
I'll make it all true, just wait
I'll say 'woof' instead of 'yes'
I can do that, no problem
In return, you have to at least pretend to be my boyfriend
There's always a special place in my heart for ya
A
Pressing Appeal
Chapter 12
Hey! Hey, look!
Mustache!
She likes it! What about this?
Bushy brows!
Mom, she doesn't like it.
That's a courtesy laugh.
Don't you think you've had enough?
Don't say that! We're free and easy today!
Right, Erika?
R-Right!
Check this out!
What?
Aren't they nicely curled? Aren't they?
Oh, wow! They are! They're so cute!
Hey, Mom.
Aren't they? I took off work today to go to the beautician.
R-Really?
Don't be fooled.
It's just been a long time since Mom dressed up.
But I wanted my son's girlfriend to like me!
Oh, Kyouya. There's some sushi left.
Want some?
Kyouya?
Kyouya, eating your own fill then going back to your room is bad manners.
Hang out with us a little while.
Hey!
It's okay if he wants to relax.
It's important to take it easy.
But, Mom, it's been so long!
Well, whatever. If Kyouya's gone...
Maybe I'll ask how you two got together!
What? Oh, no...
It's a long story.
Oh, a romantic epic! Yay!
I'm sorry to ask for your help.
No, it's okay.
I can't believe her.
She got falling down drunk so quickly.
She can't hold her liquor?
It's not that.
She just got more worked up than usual today.
I think she was really happy to see you and Kyouya.
Has it been that long since she last saw Kyouya?
He hardly ever comes here.
And Mom can't go to see him.
She can't go to see him?
Well, our parents live apart, you know?
They're effectively divorced.
At first, our parents got along really well.
But opposing interests or bad timing, I guess, just led to them drifting apart.
I was old enough to accept it, but Kyouya...
Kyouya, I'm sorry. I know you're angry.
But I...
You don't have to make excuses.
I'm not mad.
It is what it is, right?
I'm glad I found out now.
He handled it by closing his heart and giving up.
It must've been a lot for him to take in.
"I can't believe I did that to him."
"It's only natural that he hates me."
That's what she tells herself.
She also blamed herself for Kyouya closing off his heart.
I see.
But maybe he's gotten over that.
What?
Thanks to you, Erika.
It seems he's finally found someone to treasure.
This kinda took a gloomy turn, huh?
Want to try on a yukata to wear at tomorrow's fireworks show?
Oh. Sure!
Thank you for coming.
Welco—
Hey there, Ayumi!
I've got a lot more time on my hands now that I'm not messing around with girls.
So I got pushed into doing the shopping.
198 yen. 236 yen.
Ignoring me as usual...
329 yen.
That's right. Erika and Sata are in Kobe, right?
Two for 218 yen.
Apparently, he made up with his mom.
138 yen.
Oh? Nice work, Erika.
She says there's a fireworks show today.
596 yen.
A fireworks show?
I know! Why not come to watch the fireworks with me?!
98 yen.
178 yen.
That's 1,991 yen in total.
You're busy, then?
I'll be heading out now.
Have fun!
Kyouya!
What do you think?
You're going already?
Yeah.
You want to go too?
To dress up and get crushed by the crowds?
Don't you have anything else to say?
You look like a child trying to act like an adult.
That won't work every time.
Stupid Kyouya.
You won't always have your way with me.
Erika.
That's what you think.
Would you like me to check your sash one more time?
Shut up, you violent woman.
Yes, please.
You're always quick to try and slap me.
Then turn around.
Sure.
Are you ever going to let me go?
Just a bit longer.
All right.
His mom really is cute.
"It's only natural that he hates me." That's what she tells herself.
This must be hard on her.
I don't have any childhood trauma, abandonment issues,
or unresolved grudges based on a bad parting.
None of that.
Oh?
There. It's perfect.
Shall we, then?
Uh, sure.
Take care.
Wait.
I'm coming too.
Huh?
I don't have anything else to do.
What? But you refused before.
I changed my mind, idiot.
Have fun.
Huh? Don't get feisty with me.
Wow! There are so many stalls!
Don't stop walking. There are a lot of people around.
Why did he come to Kobe?
Don't want to see her either.
Was it really to make up with his mom?
He's not honest, so he might not admit to it.
What?
Oh, nothing.
Oh, this takes me back!
Kyouya did that a lot when he was little.
Really?
Mom loved goldfish.
This is it!
Even if he's not honest, a shared memory could spark something!
Kyouya! Let's do it!
No. I don't want a goldfish.
You always said that back then too.
There!
As I recall, you proved surprisingly good at that. Mom always praised you.
Kyouya! Let's give it a shot!
No. I don't want any of the prizes.
Mom loves eating takoyaki with rice.
Kyouya! Let's eat some!
No. It's hot.
Those candied apples are so cute!
No, that's not right!
You like candied apples? Mom does too.
I-I'll buy some!
Hey.
Darn it.
That girl's cute, huh?
You said it!
Think she's alone?
We should talk to her!
Gonna do it?
Two small ones.
Here you are.
Suddenly, I feel kinda hungry.
M-Me too!
Let's get some yakisoba.
Yeah! Let's do that.
Huh? Kyouya, what's wrong?
Nothing.
Oh, I see.
I thought it was strange that you suddenly decided to come.
I'm going to go buy some drinks.
Okay.
Oh, right.
Kyouya, here.
Give this to your mom.
Huh? Why?
As long as we're here, you should talk to her a little.
Come on. I don't need to.
Huh?
I don't know what's gotten into you,
but I don't need outsiders poking their heads into this.
But I'm not an outsider where you're concerned!
I'd do anything for you!
It's a pain.
I didn't ask you to.
After all—
I see. Fine.
Hey. Where are you going?
The bathroom.
Sorry for the wait.
Huh? Where's Erika?
The bathroom.
Just kidding!
I knew Kyouya wouldn't be honest about it.
I can't be Kyouya's girlfriend if I let that get me down.
Yeah. It's Erika.
Erika? What is it?
Well, I have a favor to ask.
A favor?
So you got mad and did something to upset her?
She did that herself.
I didn't do anything.
Pathetic.
If you weren't my brother, I'd smack you.
You hit me all the time.
Hey, why don't you...
Don't say it.
I don't need a lecture from you too.
How about it?
I appreciate the sentiment, but Kyou wouldn't have fun with me there.
I'm sorry.
Oh, no, wait a minute!
Oh no! I didn't think about how to invite her.
What should I do?
The truth is, Kyouya and his sister got into a fight!
A fight?
They're really pounding on each other, blood flying everywhere.
It's going to turn into a full-on brawl!
E-Erika?
We've got to hurry, or we'll lose our spot!
It's looking really bad!
What a nuisance.
You're the only one who can stop the—
Did you put on weight again?
Erika?
Hello?
Um, you'll come, right?
O-Of course!
I'll be waiting.
Okay! First hurdle cleared!
Next...
This is...
Huh?
No way. Why?
It can't be...
What?!
A Pressing Appeal
Erika's not answering?
It's strange for her to take this long, though.
What a troublemaker.
Wait a minute. I'll come with you.
This is the end of the fairgrounds.
Hey, Kyouya!
Reika? Kyou?
Huh?
Mom? Why are you here?
I got the strangest phone call from Erika.
What was it?
She asked if I'd come to watch the fireworks.
But she seemed really upset, and I got concerned.
When did that happen?
About thirty minutes ago.
That's around the time she disappeared.
Has Erika gotten lost?
She said she was going to the bathroom.
Wait, Kyouya.
Mom?
I'll search with you.
Erika! Where are you?!
Erika! Answer me!
Erika!
Hey, Mom! You're yelling!
It's the only way we'll find her in this crowd!
Erika! Where are you?
We can feel embarrassed about it later.
She's Kyou's beloved girlfriend.
Besides, old ladies are allowed to yell a little.
Leave it to me.
Mom...
Now let's get searching!
Erika! Answer me!
Erika! Where are you?
Erika! Are you okay?
Erika! Did you buy some grilled squid?
Mom, that's wrong.
If you answer me, I'll buy you some!
I'll buy one extra if you answer right now!
What is that girl doing?
Like a dog digging for a bone.
She's ruining that lovely yukata.
All dressed up with a hair ornament too. What a waste.
Really.
Oh, what's going on? She's all dirty.
What's with that girl? Is she drunk?
Erika?
It's gone. It's gone.
Where is it?
What are you doing?
Kyouya...
What's the matter with you?
I-I'm sorry. I dropped the necklace you gave me.
But I'll find it, I swear!
E-Erika, stop it.
It's just an object.
You haven't lost the memory and the feeling behind it.
But it's important to me!
I got it from Kyouya!
It's not just an object.
I don't want to lose even one of my precious connections to Kyouya.
Erika...
Let's go.
The fireworks are starting soon.
Kyou?
Kyouya...
Shut up and search.
Kyouya?
Oh, Kyou.
It's been a long day, huh?
Yeah.
The fireworks were certainly beautiful.
We barely saw them.
Well, that's true.
Hey.
Thanks for today.
Helping with her and the necklace, I mean...
That's all.
Erika's a good girl, isn't she?
You've got good taste, Kyou!
Nah.
She just started clinging to me.
Kyou.
Thank you for coming.
I hope you stay well when you go back to Tokyo.
Don't get hurt or catch a cold.
I guess it's too soon to say goodbye, huh?
From now on...
From now on, I'll come visit a little more often.
Thank you, Kyou.
Um, I'm sorry I got the yukata you lent me dirty.
It's no big deal.
I should apologize to you too.
I'm sorry I said that stuff about Kyouya.
I'm sorry, but there's no way.
Just imagining him that way creeps me out.
I'm not lying! And it's not creepy!
Even Kyouya can honestly love a person!
You're the one who's treating him like a fool!
No, that's okay.
He's changed to an astonishing degree.
He never used to be the type to do things for other people.
I guess a woman really does make the man.
But I don't think anything fundamental about him has changed.
Huh?
If he'd been 100% unfeeling, he wouldn't've fallen in love in the first place.
He'd say nasty things sometimes,
but even from the start, he could be nice.
But he's not honest, so it's hard to understand that about him.
That's true.
Thanks for finding that in him.
I hope you'll take good care of him.
Sure!
Thanks for everything.
And for the chain too.
No problem.
This time, be careful not to drop it.
Sure!
Goodbye, then.
Be well.
Say hello to your father too.
Sure.
What are you looking at?
This is...
Doesn't it take you back?
Your sister gave it to me.
She said you were so shocked when she ruined your snowman that you started crying.
I guess you could be cute too.
That's right.
It didn't fall apart for no reason.
Huh? What is it?
No, nothing.
Hey. Next time it snows, let's build snowmen just like in the picture.
Maybe I'll destroy them this time.
It's fine! You can destroy them all you like, and I'll make more!
And even bigger than before!
That's right.
Outside I can see the rain puddles
None of that is important for us
Huh? You met his mom?
She welcomed me!
And his sister said, "Take care of Kyouya!"
I didn't know
It's great when the family's on your side!
Right? That's one big obstacle out of the way.
I could understand alone
You wanna see a cute picture of Kyouya?
Into this world
I've got it on my cell phone!
light has come
Hey! What are you do...ing?
Erika. Why don't we have a talk?
We live a total lie,
Okay.
but it let me meet you
Erika never learns, huh?
But...
You influence me
Huh?
I think it works for them, don't you?
like I'm under a magic spell
Are you sorry?
Yes. I won't talk about it anymore.
We live a total lie,
Then you don't need this anymore either.
but it let me fall in love with you
Huh?
No! My treasure!
Play around more
with my wolf heart
Don't give peace
to my wolf heart
You have the real thing right here.