Aw, man! I thought the rainy season was over.
I didn't bring an umbrella.
Me, either.
I'm gonna have my boyfriend send a car.
Hey! No fair!
Sure is handy, having an older boyfriend at times like this.
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 Kyoya is my beloved boyfriend.
We're every bit the loving lovers we seem to be!
...or so we're pretending.
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 not really a girlfriend. I'm just a slave!
Wolf Girl & Black Prince
A Rash and Blind Act
Everyone's fooled by his appearance!
But he's black down to the core. A total hustler.
You're one to talk, Wolf Girl.
But despite that, you made Sata Kyoya your fake boyfriend, huh?
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 a 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. You're that type, Erika.
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!
She's saying that to convince herself.
What a pain. You should just get a real boyfriend.
Don't act like it's that 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 playing pet to a sadistic prince, 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 like that.
Then first you have to find someone you could fall in love with.
H-How?
Hmm, maybe you should start looking at men with romance in mind...
Romance in mind?
It might be closer than you thought. You just never noticed it!
I see... that sounds like a plan!
Hotties...
'Sup! Yuko?
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 super calling you out!
Dating the "prince" is rough business, I guess.
We heard you're dating Sata. Is that true?
Well... actually...
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? It's cowardly!
Shut up! Who are you?
It's none of your business!
Wh-What?
Leave it for today. Let's go.
Who's that guy? Pain in the ass.
He's just at that age. We can let it slide.
You okay?
Ah, yes. 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 kids pour water on ant hills, either.
What's your name?
Sh-Shinohara Erika.
I'm Kimura. Class 7.
You're in 1st year, right? We're in the same grade, 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, 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!
I knew you'd say that.
Romance is like an extra in life.
Huh?
I don't mind having it, but I'm not in the mood to chase it.
What's the problem, as long as I'm not dissatisfied?
What made you so cold?
I know it's possible to live without romance. But...
Hey, my guy Atsu started cryin' again.
Dumbass. Dump him and find a new guy already.
Nah. It's just the proof of how much he loves me!
Oh, is that it?
I want romance, 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 have 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 for 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?
Eek!
- Many minutes later -
You're late. What took you so long?
B-But I didn't know where it went...
You could have 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... he really is the worst...
So, she...
If only I'd met Kimura before him... then now, I wouldn't be...
Excuse me!
Oh?
Sorry!
Wh-What is...
Sorry about the ball! Excuse me!
Wh-What is going on here? Why is 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 health room with a boy.
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 nice, Kimura. Like a superhero.
I wouldn't do it for anyone but you.
Oh?
Listen... Sunday's coming up. Would you go somewhere with me?
S-Sure!
I'm glad. Then meet me at Kobatodai Station at 1:00?
Sure!
I know. I'll give you my e-mail address.
M-Me, too!
Looks like you're having fun, Erika.
K-Kyoya! What are you doing here?
Tezuka and Marin said you were coming to the health room. 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 skinned 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?!
You're the one at 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 real 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 that'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.
Sure. Thanks.
No, thank you. I had a lot of fun.
Me, too!
So, I've been wondering...
That man before... he was your boyfriend, right?
Th-That's just...
I'm sorry I invited you out when you have a boyfriend.
It's probably a big bother.
N-Not at all.
Kyoya'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, Kimura, I'd like to have a real boyfriend...
No, no, no way!
Huh?
Why would I date someone like you if you're not Sata's girl?
What am I doing? Tell a guy stuff earlier. This was a waste of time and money.
K-Kimura?
I'm sorry. Long ago, Sata stole a girlfriend of mine.
So I wanted to steal his girlfriend to get him back.
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.
S-Sata!
Taking revenge out of spite. What a gutless move.
Sh-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. 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 right for me.
I'd never go for a girl as cheap 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 gets me mad when you hurt her for no reason.
Dummy... I'm not an object.
You really never learn.
How many times are you going to be 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.
Ow! 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.
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 Episode 3 A Precipitous Drop
It's all in the name of love.