Oh yeah, did you hear about Class D?
Right, about the exams?
They did really well because of Sadako's notes, right?
Yup. Sadako's notes.
Wow, I actually want a copy of them now.
Me, too!
Kurumi!
Sorry, were you waiting for a while?
Nope, not at all.
Good to hear.
You're too nice, Kurumi.
Recently, it feels like I'm hearing rumors about Sadako wherever I go.
There was that fight a little while ago, too.
What's she really like, anyway? I don't really know her.
We saw her with Kazehaya once, remember?
Oh yeah! We weren't sure whether they were dating or not.
But that's impossible.
You think so?
It wouldn't really surprise me... if Kazehaya fell in love with her.
No way! Like Kazehaya would fall for her !
You know what he's like. He probably couldn't leave her alone.
And besides, wouldn't it make more sense that he likes you , Kurumi?
No way!
Why not? You two are really close.
That's only because we went to the same middle school.
Geez, why don't you just go out with him already?
I said...
Even if you don't have feelings for him, he just might fall for you!
Recently, I feel as if...
...weird things have been happening to me.
Hey, it's Sadako!
Dude! Make a funny face!
What? A funny face?
Like this?!
What do you think?
U-Umm...
I don't think it worked...
I guess we messed up...
I'm too startled to smile, but...
I'm happy I'm not being avoided.
Oh, that?
People are saying they'll be blessed with good luck if they make you smile!
Good luck?!
That's the first time anyone's ever said that of me!
That's great!
I'll smile! Definitely!
Yo! Go tell Sadako a joke!
Okay!
Why did the duck cross the road? Because the chicken was on holiday!
Good one!
I don't think that worked...
Yeah. Both the joke and the smiling myth.
Why do you end up making that face when you try to smile?
Morning. Morning.
Morning!
Good morning, Yano-san, Yoshida-san.
You've become friends with Hirano-chan and Endou-chan, too, haven't you?
Huh?
F-Frien-
Yup!
We're friends!
Before I realized it...
I-I'm so happy!
These may be the happiest days of my life!
Hey, it's kind of a drag to call you two by your last names. Do you mind if I use your first names?
Sure! Call me Ekko.
Call me Tomo.
You can call me Chizu, and feel free to call her Yano-chin or Ayane or whatever.
Sure! Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan, right?
Why, thank you so much for deciding for me.
S-Smooth...
Huh?
What's smooth?
So, as friendships progress, you start calling each other by first names!
There's so much to learn!
No, it doesn't sound smooth at all.
It usually just comes out of your mouth without you noticing.
You memorized them, right?
Ekko.
Tomo.
Chizu.
Ayane.
You have to call us by those names, too.
Me, too?!
Come on.
Just say it.
A-A-A-
A-
A-A-A-A-A-
Ayane-chan...
There you go!
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chizu-chan...
I think you added a few extra 'A's and 'Ch's there.
E-E-Ekko-chan...
To-To-Tomo-chan...
Ah, that sounds nice!
It makes me happy.
One more time, Sawako!
That made them happy!
You're always so formal, too.
Why don't you start calling other girls by their first names, too?
By their first names?!
Don't you think that's kind of rudely familiar?
You should be fine.
You're really not used to these things, are you?
I guess it'd be weird to do it with someone you don't know, so why don't you start with people you do know?
And here comes a good guinea pig.
Guinea pig?
Morning! PLACEHOLDER
Try calling him by his first name. Morning!
Yo, morning. Try calling him by his first name.
Morning! Try calling him by his first name.
By his first name?!
Y-Y-Y-Yano-san!
"Yano-san"?
I mean...
Ayane-chan!
Th-Th-That's way too difficult for me!
You think you'll be able to open up to everyone like that?
Yano-chin's a bit of a sadist.
I thought you said you were going to give it your best?
Morning!
Oh, Kazehaya, Sadako wanted to tell you something...
Huh?
Do it.
K...
Kazehaya...
I thought you were going for it!
Yeah? What's up?
-kun...
"Kun"?
See? It'll be difficult to try it on guys, so you should start with girls first.
You're so forceful...
Th-That made me so nervous...
Okay, so I should start with the girls.
Right. I'll try my best.
I'll just refer to the guys as I normally do.
Oh, so Yano just made her call me that.
The guys...
Was it a surprise? The guys...
Even though Kazehaya-kun is always so nice to me like Yano-san and Yoshida-san, and talks to both guys and girls...
Just a bit. Even though Kazehaya-kun is always so nice to me like Yano-san and Yoshida-san, and talks to both guys and girls...
I did think it was a little strange. Even though Kazehaya-kun is always so nice to me like Yano-san and Yoshida-san, and talks to both guys and girls...
For Kuronuma to just call me "Kazehaya".
...he's a guy.
I didn't know what you were going to say to me after that.
But he's different from Yano-san and Yoshida-san...
I don't know how to explain it...
He gives off...
...a very "guy" feeling...
Well, today in homeroom, we're going to decide the committee rep for the sports festival.
Actually, it's too much of a hassle. The guy can just take the spot.
That's settled, then.
That's me!
Sucks to be you, Kazehaya!
He didn't even have to run for the position! Sucks to be you, Kazehaya!
He didn't even have to run for the position!
You'd better do a fine job!
Oh, and by the way, I'm also in charge of the committee.
If you don't come to the meetings, I'll be telling everyone about your childh-
I'll go!
I know! I'll put effort into it.
You guys better win the championship, got it?!
We don't have enough people, so those who are good at sports have to participate in two events.
If you're experienced in the sport, you have to participate in that event.
If you suck, don't come on the day of the festival!
I'll mark you down as excused!
What a horrible teacher...
And, just like that...
I can't wait...
I'll show them what I'm made of!
A festival just for me, held twice a year!
Whoa! You're fired up!
Victory!
We'll defeat them all!
I can't be like that...
I have to make sure I don't ruin their chances...
Kuronuma, have you ever played soccer?
Nope, never.
Seriously?
You do look unathletic.
I'll try my best.
You don't have to try that hard.
You can stay at home on the day of the festival.
Hey, do you guys want to take some time from lunch to practice, then?
Sounds good!
Roger that!
That would really help me!
Yeah!
Let's do this.
Let's!
Practicing for the sports festival, huh?
It sounds like a drag, but it all seems fun if Kazehaya's there.
He was pretty much forced into being the rep.
Yeah!
Our class has homeroom next, right?
Yeah, I think so.
I wonder if we're deciding what sports to play for the festival?
Speaking of that, I heard Kazehaya's the committee representative for Class D.
Oh, really?
You should run for representative for our class, then!
Huh? Me?
Yeah! Why not?
This may be the chance for you two to get together!
No way!
I'm telling you, that'll never happen.
Although, I wouldn't mind becoming the rep.
Then do it!
But I don't really want to run for the position...
It's kind of embarrassing...
We'll just nominate you! How's that?
What?
No need to be shy!
It's all yours, Sadako!
Okay!
Huh?
Yeah, I kinda saw this coming.
I guess it's a bit harsh making you play right away...
Why don't you start by practicing kicking the ball?
I'm sorry...
It's okay, we thought you'd be like this.
You should smile instead of looking pale, Sadako.
She may be able to scare off her opponent by laughing.
More like, we'll be blessed with good luck and end up winning the championship!
Chizu-chan!
We should start heading back soon if we want to make it in time for fifth period.
Whoa, we've been out here for that long?
Our lunch breaks are so short!
But other clubs are always using the field after school...
I'm already getting in their way and all we've done is practice!
I can't let them waste their precious time on me!
I have to practice on my own...
I need to get a soccer ball...
I have to practice on my own...
What are you mumbling about? I have to practice on my own...
What are you mumbling about?
It's creepy. I need to get a soccer ball...
Sadako's chanting something! I need to get a soccer ball...
I have to practice on my own... Sadako's chanting something!
I have to practice on my own...
Well, let's head back. I have to practice on my own...
Well, let's head back.
Oh.
The guys are still at it.
Over here!
It's Kazehaya-kun!
What the heck are they doing?
They're just horsing around like they always do.
He looks like he's having fun!
I was able to see him playing sports!
I wonder what he's like when he's playing softball?
You guys better finish up soon! You'll be late for fifth period!
Okay!
We're heading back!
I like your braids!
Let's go, Kazehaya.
Right.
Sadako?
Kuronuma Sawako!
What are you staring off into space for?
Let's head back.
Whoa, your face is red!
What?! Really?!
You ran that much?
N-No, that's not it...
Huh? What's happening to me?
He didn't really say anything special, right?
We were pretty far away, too.
He was just walking back...
I... just can't...
...take my eyes off of him...
Rise!
Bow!
Finally! School's over!
Let's go eat something, Yano-chin.
You, too, Sadako! How about some ramen?
No!
Hanging out with you makes me fat.
But more importantly, don't you have some shopping to do?
Yeah! I need to buy a red t-shirt so I can stand out at the sports festival.
You're coming, too, right, Sadako?
I-I have some things I need to take care of, like watering the plants...
Maybe next time.
Really?
We don't mind waiting for you to finish up, you know.
And if we help out, we can get it done faster.
N-No, I'll be fine today.
But... would it be all right...
...if I ask you to help me some other time?
Of course. You can count on us.
Then come shopping with us next time, okay?
Okay!
I know how nice they are. If I tell them I'm planning on practicing, they'll insist on helping me.
Even though they already have plans.
I'll ask you when you don't have any plans.
I really appreciate it, you two...
Kazehaya, where are you off to now?
Oh, I have to attend that committee meeting. It's Kazehaya-kun.
Go on without me.
Sports festival rep, huh...
Oh yeah, you were forced into that by Pin.
Yeah!
Seriously, what am I doing?!
What? You want to borrow a soccer ball?
Yes. It would be much appreciated.
No, no.
I can't lend those out for personal use.
You can't lend me a ball no matter what?
I'll bring it back! I promise.
No means no!
Well, so much for that...
I guess I should buy my own ball, then...
I'll use my New Years money.
Do the windows look okay?
Yeah.
This is where I had my first real conversation with Kazehaya-kun...
Huh?
You're on the committee, too, Kazehaya?
Oh.
You were nominated, too, huh?
Glad I'm not the only one.
We're both pretty unlucky, I guess.
That seat's open, by the way.
Ah, thanks.
Thanks for that CD, by the way.
You're welcome.
There's actually an album I want to borrow from you, too.
Sure, I'll try to remember to bring it.
Awesome!
Some band did a cover of the fourth song on the album before the one I lent you, and it's really good...
You listening, Kazehaya?
Sorry, what were you saying?
The album that came before the one I lent you.
Gotcha. I'll bring it next time.
Where are you going?
Huh?
Wait, what time was that chime supposed to signal?
This way.
I don't know why...
...but I can't smile naturally...
The air feels a bit different from usual...
So... instead of a smile...
I want this ball to reach Kazehaya-kun.
I wonder why...
I feel a sharp stabbing sensation in my chest.
Next time: A New Friend.