Saeki-san...
Saeki-san is right beside me.
I'm on a date with Saeki-san.
This is my first date...
And it's with Saeki-san.
But...
Right now,
I'm wearing Saeki-san's gym uniform.
Hang on.
Don't make a fool of me, shithead.
Books
Look... A new store.
That's cute!
I'll expose you...
I'll expose everything under
that mask of yours.
What is Nakamura-san trying to do?
Why is she doing this?
She must be up to something!
Wait...
Maybe she isn't.
Could she just be going with the mood?
In that case,
it's impossible to guess what she might do!
What's wrong, Kasuga-kun?
Huh?!
Are you okay? You look pale.
I'm fine!
Just fine!
I'm really excited.
What's this used bookstore like?
Where is it?
Almost there...
We're almost there.
Just forget about that!
Forget everything...
I may never get to experience such bliss again.
Flowers of Evil
Episode 5 of 13
Baudelaire's Flowers of Evil.
That's an intimidating title.
Why are you trying to act so cool?
And when you're wearing Saeki-san's gym uniform, no less.
Kasuga-kun,
today, you have to remove the first layer of that mask you hide behind.
Kasuga-kun, are you listening?
Don't you want to kiss Saeki-san?
Here we are... This is it.
Looks amazing.
Look at the shop name. It says "Town of Cats," right?
That's probably taken from the short story Town of Cats, by Hagiwara Sakutaro.
Really?
Welcome.
I never knew this town had a place like this.
Oh, look at this!
It's André Breton's Nadja.
Is this a first edition?
It is!
That's awesome...
So expensive.
The owner really knows his stuff.
Breton was the one who founded Surrealism.
Have you heard of Surrealism?
You know how we use "surreal" to describe stuff that doesn't make sense?
That concept comes from Surrealism.
But it's more than just a bunch of nonsense.
Lautréamont once wrote,
"Beautiful as the chance meeting on a dissecting table of a sewing machine and an umbrella."
Ah, there's a Lautréamont here.
He was a poet who died young, so he didn't leave behind much work.
Oh, the line I just quoted is a famous verse from his poetic novel, Les Chants de Maldoror.
You really like books, huh, Kasuga-kun?
Yep!
What's your favorite book?
Let's see...
Ah, here it is.
Flowers of Evil Baudelaire
Baudelaire's Flowers of Evil.
That's an intimidating title.
It's a little scary.
The really scary part is inside.
The first time I read it, as a middle school first-year,
all the colors of my world changed.
I realized I was a fool who knew nothing at all.
Anyway, the writing is really cool.
Oh, I know!
Could I get this?
Sure.
Uh, that'll be 600 yen.
There you are.
Here!
This is a present for you.
Read it.
It'll be an incredible experience!
Thank you.
Sorry, Saeki-san...
Could you wait here for a moment?
I'll be right back!
Eh?
Over here.
You seem to be enjoying yourself, Kasuga-kun.
Why are you trying to act so cool?
And when you're wearing Saeki-san's gym uniform, no less.
So, how does it feel?
You're on a date with the girl who used to wear it.
The uniform that used to cling to her body...
The uniform drenched in her sweat and scent...
It's on your body right now.
See? Your heart's really pounding.
I bet the inside of your head is a mess.
You're such a sicko.
I-I'm not...
Kasuga-kun,
today, you have to remove the first layer of that mask you hide behind.
Before the date ends,
you have to kiss Saeki-san.
Do it.
Don't you want to kiss Saeki-san?
Kiss her...
Kiss Saeki-san.
Kiss Saeki-san, while you wear her gym uniform.
Well?
Doesn't it make your brains turn to mush?
Kasuga-kun?
Admit it.
Admit that you're a twisted pervert.
Reveal your true self.
Or else you're going to hell.
Kasuga-kun... Where are you?
You frightened me.
I'm right here...
What's wrong? Are you okay?
I just wanted some fresh air.
Ah, why don't we go check out Main Street or something?
Let's go.
Okay.
I'd never read one before,
so the two of us were reading it secretly.
But then my mom suddenly came in,
which gave me a scare.
And then, that was when I...
Your iced tea's ready.
I'll go get it.
Kiss... Kiss.
Kiss Saeki-san?
Impossible...
That's impossible.
Here's your order... Just kidding.
I mean...
I mean, Saeki-san is an angel!
Kasuga-kun, are you listening?
Sorry!
What's wrong?
Anyway,
that was when I spilled my drink.
I was wearing white, so it was a huge mess.
It's evening already...
Huh?
I need to get home.
Oh...
Thank you for today.
I haven't had this much fun in a long time.
And thank you for the book.
I'll be sure to read it.
You're a strange person, Kasuga-kun.
Would you be willing to take me out again?
Of course.
Let's get going, then.
Don't you want to kiss Saeki-san?
Admit it.
Admit that you're a twisted pervert.
No!
I'm... I'm...
I'm not a pervert!
Saeki-san!
Saeki
Please... enter into a p-pure and platonic relationship with me!
Okay.
If you don't mind that it's me.
Huh?
What... What did you say?
I said...
Well, if you don't mind that it's me.
Really?
If you don't mind that it's me.
I'm really happy.
It's the first time anyone's ever asked me out.
I'm a bit overwhelmed...
Saeki-san...
I'm the one...
I'm the one
who's happy...
Really happy!
Are you all right, Kasuga-kun?
Your clothes are soaked.
Saeki
D-Don't look at me!
Uh, wait... It's not what you think.
You twisted pervert.
Sorry, I just remembered I needed to do something...
I'll see you at school tomorrow!
Kasuga-kun!
Did she notice?
She didn't notice, right?
She didn't notice!
Someone tell me that she didn't notice!
Nakamura-san...
Damn you, Nakamura-san!
That...
That was mean, Nakamura-san.
Really mean!
Traitor.
I told you to kiss her...
Why did you ask her out instead?
Instead?
Ask her out instead?
I was never going to kiss her!
I'm not that kind of person!
You know you wanted to kiss her.
It turned you on, wearing Saeki-san's gym uniform.
You know you're a sick, twisted little piece of shit!
That's not true!
In that case, you can try and date her.
I'm even willing to help out until you're satisfied.
I won't tell anyone that you're a sick, twisted piece of shit
who steals gym uniforms.
Really?
Yep.
I'm going to watch what happens...
Well, assuming Saeki-san didn't notice earlier.
Okay, bye-bye.
We can tell them, right?
Is Nakamura-san telling her...
What if Kasuga-kun turns out to be a pervert?
about the gym uniform?
I want to get to know you.
You came straight here to have sex with her?
I just want this happiness to last.
"I'm so lonely." Just say it!
Let's treasure our relationship.
Saeki-san is an angel.
Stop it!
Look at yourself in the mirror.
Does it bring back memories... of your own adolescence? Oshimi Shuuzou