Fujimiya-san changed...
Fujimiya-san.
Thanks for lending me your notes.
She stopped being cold to others in class.
You're welcome.
Little by little, she began to speak to other students.
Hey, about the finals coming up...
And on Mondays, I stopped
asking her to be my friend.
Before I could speak to her...
Are you Hase-kun?
She'd usually ask me that first.
I'm glad we're making progress...
But when I think that
the special times we shared, just the two of us, are fewer and fewer...
#7 Friends of "Ah."
3.2 meters.
Fujimiya-san...
Nishimura-san, Serizawa-san?
Hey, give it to us straight.
What's your relationship with Hase-kun?
Huh?
Why are you asking about him?
That reaction! So there is something!
We've been wondering for a while.
At lunch, you two always disappear.
So, be honest. What's the deal?
Hase-kun is a very important friend.
She's so pure!
Huh?
So how long have you two been close?
Since May, I think.
Hase-kun spoke to you first, right?
What did he say?
I remember that clearly.
He said, "I'd like for us to be friends."
Hase-kun's so pure, too.
Pure?
Hase-kun seems like a good guy.
Yeah. He's really nice.
If you opened your heart to him, after keeping it closed to everyone else,
he really must be!
Now, now...
So, how is he nice?
Well, he's kind, considerate, and really trustworthy.
I'm truly glad I met him.
Gosh... Just listening to this is making my heart pound.
And? What else?
It's Saki-chan.
Here I go.
There.
38 centimeters.
A new record.
Way to go!
By the way, you're also friends with Kiryu-kun, right?
Saki said you all studied together the other day.
Y-Yeah.
Kiryu-kun's nice, huh?
Hase-kun's nice, too. But I think I prefer Kiryu-kun.
I like how he's a loner.
She has weird taste... Just ignore her.
Saki, you also think Kiryu-kun's cool, right?
Who is that? Is he one of those two boys?
Oh, Saki, you're so forgetful.
You're so cute!
Maiko, you're too soft on Saki.
But she's so little and cute.
You three are really close.
You're our friend, as well.
Huh?
A friend of Saki is a friend of ours.
Maybe I'll call you Kaori-chan, too.
Do it.
Kaori-chan!
Okay...
Huh? Kaori-chan, is something wrong?
Oh, gosh! Kaori-chan's embarrassed!
My heart is pounding...
Now, now...
And that's what happened.
I made more friends.
Really? That's great.
Ai-chan's really reliable and holds the group together.
Maiko-chan's cheerful and really funny.
Have you told them about your memory?
I gave a simple explanation,
but they just think I'm forgetful like Saki-chan.
Well, that might be enough.
I'll be busy writing much more in my diary...
But I'm really happy.
You have more and more to write about, not just me.
You're right.
Fujimiya-san...
After school today, could you help me study for the finals?
Then I'll invite Saki-chan—
I'd prefer if it were just us!
Oh, okay...
Sure, that's fine.
Thanks!
Hase-kun?
All right... We're gonna study!
Yeah!
First... Let's try this problem.
You can use your textbook and notes.
O-Okay.
I see the mood's the same as always.
Th-There he is!
You act like I'm nothing but a nuisance.
Because you're always hanging around like it's natural...
You're the one who made it that way.
Yeah, but it isn't like that.
Come with me...
Fujimiya-san, give me a second.
You understand, don't you?
Not one bit.
Sometimes, you know...
I want to have some time to talk to her...
Let me be alone with her sometimes, jerk!
You certainly don't hide how you feel.
In any case, I don't need you today.
Go home.
Yeah, yeah.
He always does whatever he wants...
Well, he'd probably say the same about me.
Whoops.
Oh, excuse me.
You're in my class... I think your name is...
I forgot.
Well, I commend you for trying to remember.
By the way, what's this?
While I was walking through the hall, Inoue-sensei asked me to handle it.
Huh... Well, good luck with that.
Ah, could you tell me your name again?
Kiryu.
Kiryu?
Is that right?
I'm the one telling you. Of course I'm right.
Then tell me your given name.
It might be easier to remember.
You won't, so don't bother.
Kiryu-kun...
I feel like I should be able to remember that name...
Fujimiya-san, are you bored?
No, I'm fine.
You're always supporting me.
I want to do what I can to help you.
If there's anything you don't understand, just ask.
You're an angel.
Huh?
Nothing!
High School Mathematics II
Have you always liked math?
In elementary school, I enjoyed arithmetic.
But I think I started studying harder in fifth or sixth grade.
Really? Why?
Well, I think... Maybe...
I wonder why.
I don't really remember.
Do you have a favorite number?
Nothing in particular now,
but I think I used to like the number "1."
Really? That's surprising.
You think so?
Yeah.
But it's not only math you score high in.
That isn't true... I'm just normal.
It is true...
You're nice, reliable, and cute.
There's nothing to complain about.
Huh?
Wh-When I say "cute," I mean... Well...
You know...
I was speaking objectively.
I don't think it's true...
It is true!
Ever since we ended up in the same class, I've thought you were cute.
I-In any case, that's how it is.
Okay.
It just surprised me because it's the first time a boy's called me cute.
But I'm really happy.
Thanks.
Sure.
Saki-chan!
Kaori-chan, hello.
Wait, Yamagishi-san, when did you get here?
Were you listening to us?
Around the time you started saying "cute."
Oh... Really?
Is anything wrong?
The teacher asked me to put this up,
but I don't think I can.
Would you help me?
Sure.
Hooray.
On that note, I'm going to borrow him for a bit.
O-Okay.
There we go.
Put it there.
Where? Here?
A little higher.
Around here?
Higher. Higher.
That's not possible...
I'm losing my balance...
If you fall, I won't be able to catch you.
Yeah, yeah.
That said...
Whoa! Watch out!
Yamagishi-san, be careful... I'm gonna fall!
Are you listening? Yamagishi-san!
Saki, are you here?
There you are.
What are you two doing?
Don't give us that!
We agreed to meet after school, in the library.
Oh, I forgot.
Jeez, seriously...
Hey, Hase-kun... She's putting you to work.
She sure is.
This one is very helpful.
Yamagishi-san, if you need to go to the library, go ahead...
I'll handle the rest.
Really?
Way to go, Hase-kun!
Then, see you later, Kaori-chan.
O-Okay.
Thank you.
Ah.
Ah?
#7 Friends of "Whew."
July 14 Monday
It's almost summer vacation.
It's almost summer vacation...
You're gloomy.
If I said I wanted to see you more than once a week over summer vacation,
what would you do?
Say what? That's creepy.
Yeah, you're right...
What will I do about Fujimiya-san?
And it's a long break, too...
I'm worried about not seeing her for two weeks.
Could be a good opportunity.
What do you mean?
You could try not seeing her over summer vacation.
Then once it's over, you'll finally see each other again.
Then you can find out if she remembers you at all.
And if she doesn't remember me at all, what would you do about it?
Have some faith in Fujimiya.
That isn't the problem...
Then why don't you just talk to her about it?
Yeah, I know...
But if she isn't worrying about summer vacation,
only looking forward to it, I don't know...
I've been thinking it for a while now...
But you're a real wimp.
I just don't want my hard work to go to waste.
Yeah, yeah.
You're just sad you won't see Fujimiya over break,
aren't you?
Got a problem with that?
No.
Anyway,
why are you always so negative?
It's your first summer vacation since making friends with Fujimiya.
There are plenty of fun, normal things you can do.
You think I can invite her?
Huh?
Actually, what could I invite her to?
Actually, no matter where I invite her, I feel like we'll look like a couple!
What am I going to do?
You're a pain.
We're talking about Fujimiya...
She'd be happy, no matter where you invited her.
For example?
The beach, the pool, a fireworks display.
Basically, anything...
Oh, man... Now I'm really excited about summer vacation!
Hey, Fujimiya-san... Summer vacation's coming up.
Yeah!
I look forward to summer vacation every year!
My dad always takes me on trips over summer vacation.
I wonder where we'll go this year...
Hase-kun, do you have any plans for the summer?
Not really.
You don't?
Have you ever been overseas? I have, a few times...
July 22 Tuesday
Closing Ceremony
Huh? You didn't talk to her about summer vacation?
No, I started to a few times, but the timing wasn't ever right.
Then what will you do? She doesn't have a cell phone, does she?
What should I do?
Well, if it comes to it, I thought I could drop by her house...
I don't think you have the guts to do that.
Huh?! But I'm a... man of action.
Even though you haven't brought up what you want to talk about?
If you're really a man of action, go talk to her now.
Fujimiya's probably still walking around close by.
If you run, you can catch her.
Shogo...
I hope, one day, I won't have to push you anymore.
I'm really sorry... I promise I'll return the favor!
Fujimiya-san!
What's wrong?
Let's meet over summer vacation!
Sure.
Wha— Huh?!
Why did you think you had to ask?
Since we don't have school over break, we won't see each other unless we make plans.
Oh, right... You're right!
I was just assuming I'd see you like always over summer vacation, too...
Yeah, you're right.
We don't have school...
Will we not see each other much?
No, no! We will!
I came here so we could make plans...
Really? That's great!
Then...
Let's hang out a lot over summer break!
Yeah.
July
See you later!
Wait...
Where are we meeting?
Kaori said she was going out to meet a friend.
R-Really?
But that's strange...
I thought the friend she was meeting would be you.
What's wrong? Did you miss each other?
I'm actually pretty fond of unexpected developments like this!
Excuse me... Sorry for bothering you.
There you are...
Oh, good... You came.
This was the only place I could think of where we meet regularly.
I was so scared, coming into the school out of uniform...
I felt like I'd be in trouble if a teacher saw me.
You didn't need to come inside.
Yeah, but...
But I guess I was able to do it because I knew you'd come.
Hase-kun?
It's nothing!
Huh?
Fujimiya-san, isn't it Monday? What about your memories?
I read my diary this morning...
While I was reading it,
I thought, "Hase-kun, huh?" But...
But...
I just... naturally knew you were Hase-kun.
It didn't feel like the first time we'd met.
At that moment, I realized something...
Hey, Hase-kun...
The gears Fujimiya-san had been turning back each week...
Hase-kun, I...
know you.
...were almost completely interlocked with mine now.
July 14 Monday
By the way, why did you wait for me after school today?
We didn't promise to walk home together.
Oh, yeah... I wanted to give you something.
Here! Happy birthday!
Huh?
Oh, that's right. It's my birthday.
But how did you know?
Ah, cookies...
Last week, Kiryu-kun mentioned it just loudly enough for me to hear.
Seriously?
Yeah.
So, you waited in the classroom to give these to me?
I wrote it down...
July 14 Hase-kun's Birthday!
So I wouldn't forget!
Fujimiya-san...
Yes?
How do you feel about me?
Huh?
Huh? Wait, what am I asking?
Sorry, forget it!
I like you.
Wh-What?!
Calm down...
Don't you see where this is going?
You also like Shogo and Yamagishi-san, right?
Yeah.
And you like math, right?
I do.
Whew.
Whew?
The Beach with Friends.