Preparing for rain?
This little guy really likes you, Mei.
I didn't think anyone knew I was
looking after a cat here.
I've seen you.
Your hair seems frizzier than usual.
Must be the rain. I should get it cut soon.
Can I go with you?!
What?
Today I, Tachibana Mei, am quite flustered,
as I'm about to go out with a boy
for the very first time.
You're late.
You've got some nerve
not to let me know you'd be 20 minutes late
to our first date.
Sorry.
But this isn't a date.
We're just going to the salon.
It's a date.
To be honest,
it's not that I don't want to go on a date...
I actually did worry about what to wear...
This? Or maybe this...
No, I don't want to look too dressed up.
Where are you off to?
The salon.
Why would you get all dolled up for a haircut?
Wait!
Do you have a date?!
Oh my, a date at last!
No, I'm really just going to the salon.
Good luck!
I told you, I'm...
It's not...
I swore to myself this isn't a date,
which is why when I chose my outfit,
I ended up with this.
We're dressed alike, don't you think?
We must have similar taste. That's great.
By the way, Nakanishi told me he and Asami are dating.
Oh...
He said it was thanks to you.
I didn't do anything.
Nakanishi called you amazing.
I'm so happy.
We need to get to the salon.
Now? We can go later.
Unless you have an appointment?
I don't, but...
Then let's have some fun first.
We can go to the salon later.
Okay?
S-Sure...
Where should we go?
A movie? Karaoke?
N-Nowhere behind closed doors!
Why not?
Because...
Oh, don't worry.
I won't do anything besides kiss you yet.
Hey!
Hey, that guy is super hot!
Totally hot! I bet he's a model.
Should we talk to him?
But he's with a girl.
There's no way she's his girlfriend.
Should we talk to him, then?
Excuse me, do you have a moment?
Sorry to spring this on you,
but I work for a talent agency and...
I'm not interested in that kind of thing.
Sorry.
Check that out.
He's so handsome.
Mei, is something wrong?
No, I was just wondering if this is normal for you.
Huh?
Getting scouted...
Girls coming to talk to you...
That's the first time I've been scouted,
but I do get hit on.
Are you sure you want me with you?
It must be embarrassing to be seen with me.
Do I seem like that kind of guy?
Honestly, I don't know what to think of you yet.
I see.
Let's act more like a couple.
Now that we're dating,
I don't want anyone to bother us.
But we haven't started dating...
We have so.
You're my girlfriend now.
I thought holding someone's hand
wasn't as big a deal as kissing, but...
As our hands touched,
I could feel his warmth in a different way,
but it made my heart pound just as hard.
I didn't know another person's touch could be so warm,
and comforting...
Yamato!
It is you.
You're with Tachibana?
Hey, Masashi and Aiko-chan.
You're an odd couple.
We're on a date.
Seriously?
No, we...
We're about to go bowling.
Wanna join us?
Should we?
I need to get a haircut.
Come with us.
We have extra coupons.
It'll be more fun as a foursome.
Okay.
You sure?
Yeah.
The teams will be me and Aiko
against Yamato and Tachibana!
You're on!
Why would Yamato choose Tachibana?
What's so good about her?
All right.
Here I go!
You suck.
Masashi
Aiko
You're up next, Mei.
O-Okay.
I've got your back, so just do your best.
This is the first time I've seen Tachibana move.
I'll bet she's terrible at sports.
A-A strike?!
That was amazing, Mei!
Who are you?
You're good at bowling?
I bowled a little when I was younger.
This can't be what he sees in her.
That's awesome! Incredible!
Three strikes in a row!
Mei
Yamato
Bowler: Mei
I just got lucky.
No way, you're seriously extraordinary!
Aiko, I think we're gonna lose.
What the hell?
Yamato looks like he's really having fun.
He seems pretty serious about Tachibana.
But I'm serious about you, Aiko!
Hearing that doesn't make me happy.
D'oh.
This is annoying.
Tachibana,
let's go buy some drinks.
So, did you invite Yamato to hang out,
or did he invite you?
I definitely didn't ask him.
When I said I was going to the salon today,
he just decided to tag along.
Tag along?
Aren't you dating?
Kurosawa-kun says we are, but...
I don't know what it means to date someone.
In other words, you like Yamato?
I think so.
What kind of answer is that?
So many girls have their eyes on Yamato.
Tons of them would love to hang out with him.
What gives you the right to be with him,
when you can't even make up your mind?
Why would he choose you over someone
who's slept with him?
If you don't like Yamato, you should stay away from him.
Where's Mei?
No clue.
Hey, Mei.
You're up.
Right.
Get us another strike, Mei!
Mei?
I'm going home.
Hey!
Mei!
Let her go. Stay and hang out with us, Yamato.
I'm with Mei today.
Sorry.
Mei!
Come on, Aiko-chan, lighten up.
Let's grab something to eat.
Don't wanna.
Who cares about Yamato?
You've got me.
No.
I won't let her beat me.
You mean Tachibana?
What's so good about that ugly, loudmouthed bitch who didn't even try?
I'd do anything for the man I love.
Aiko, let's go!
Sorry, I have a date with my guy.
Oh?
Lucky.
Introduce him to us next time.
With my last boyfriend,
I devoted my time and money
to become the girl of his dreams.
I bought all the makeup and pills I could to improve my looks.
But the harder I tried, the more I realized it'd never be enough.
In my pursuit of a quick fix,
I ruined my skin.
Ouch.
You're plenty cute without makeup.
You sure are trying hard for the guy you like.
It was the first time in my life someone complimented my natural looks.
Yamato saw the real me...
That's why...
When I found out my boyfriend had cheated on me...
Yamato!
I can't take it anymore! I want to die!
I tried so hard, but...
I'll never be as cute as other girls!
I look stupid!
How can you say that?
Then sleep with me!
Would you do that for me?!
I took advantage of Yamato's kindness.
I lost weight for Yamato.
37 pounds in two months.
I just wanted to be beautiful.
I won't
accept someone who goes after something without putting in the effort.
I thought I'd find you here.
Did Aiko say something to you?
Why would he choose you over someone
who's slept with him?
I don't understand you...
We're just too different.
That's not true.
He likes you.
He ran away at first,
but after showing up a few times,
he finally let me near him.
There's something I want to show you.
We're here!
What is this place?
My middle school.
Sure takes me back!
I broke this spot by punching it.
I guess you could say I was pretty wild.
Thinking about how I used to be makes me sick...
My grade was full of fighting and bullying.
Worried that I might end up a target,
I kept a close eye on those around me.
I was really on the defensive.
I was like a chameleon.
I did my best to blend in with my surroundings, to stay safe.
One day, my best friend became the bullies' target.
In public, I ignored him like everyone else.
Secretly, though, we'd meet up to talk.
I had some nerve...
Even then, one day he told me, with his face covered in bruises,
"Thanks for talking to me."
Die
But the next day, he transferred schools.
I never did anything for him.
Damn!
Damn! Damn!
Damn it!
I felt so pathetic.
Mei, I know you think we're different,
but the truth is I...
I'm...
Even now in high school,
I'm still blending in with the crowd.
I'm worthless.
It's not that.
People are naturally drawn to you.
Yeah, to my looks.
Friendships based on looks don't last!
You need to have more faith in them.
You're telling me to trust people?
Because you taught me to think that way.
Little by little, I want to start trusting people.
You don't seem easily swayed by others.
I admire that.
Mei, I...
I fell in love with your roundhouse kick.
I bet I seem a lot less cool now.
It makes you seem a little more human.
It's better.
Mei,
this might not be the right time, but...
Can I kiss you?
Sure.
Oddly enough,
I was terrified of being alone with him this morning,
but now it feels so comfortable.
I can't go get my hair cut now.
I prefer long hair.
Then maybe I won't cut it...
Seriously?
I-I haven't decided yet!
You don't need to cut it.
You look pretty with long hair.
If you trust people...
If you associate with people...
You'll encounter troubles you
don't have when you're alone.
Just like I have my wounds,
I learned that Kurosawa-kun has his, too.
So I decided to stand up
Episode 3 - If You Trust Someone...
and face them.
Aiko?
I won't...
let it end like this.
My first time experiencing the warmth of
someone's hand was so nice and reassuring.
I hope I can come to truly understand
how wonderful it can be to connect with others.
Stay away from my Mei, Kurosawa Yamato!