Sadako! It's all yours!
Right!
Nice kick! She's really improved since last time!
Nice job, Sadako!
Wait, wasn't she standing over there just a little while ago?
When did she get to the ball?
Teleportation?
I kicked the ball...
Not bad, Sadako!
We can even think about winning the championship now!
Maybe I didn't end up wasting money on that red shirt after all!
I was praised...
The truth is...
...I learned that move from Kazehaya-kun.
I want this ball to reach Kazehaya-kun.
You did it!
The ball actually came to me!
You were able to reach me!
Try to stop the ball first like you just did.
No need to rush things.
Why don't we try that again?
Okay.
Okay, go!
I'm open!
This isn't good!
No!
Nice job!
Nice shot!
You were able to reach me!
It was so hot today!
I'll get changed as soon as I dry up, so head back to the classroom without me.
Sure.
I guess no one's back yet.
Oh, hey.
Have you seen Kazehaya?
She's the bisque doll!
I mean... Kurumi-san!
U-Umm... sorry, but the guys are still out there practicing for the sports festival.
Oh, I see.
I wonder what I should do...
She's willing to talk to me as though we know each other!
She's so nice!
For some reason... she reminds me of Kazehaya-kun.
Umm...
Huh?
You may not remember this, but you helped me pick up some printouts before. Thank you once more.
What?
Oh, come on. I just did what anyone would have done.
It's kind of embarrassing to be thanked twice for something so minor.
Wow, she's so sweet!
And really girly, too.
The ideal girl I wish to become is standing right in front of me...
Really, the more I look at her, she reminds me of a doll-
You remind me of a doll! Really, the more I look at her, she reminds me of a doll-
Huh?
I don't think I meant to say that out loud...
Nope, I'm the one who said it.
What?!
You're Kuronuma Sawako-chan, right?
She knows my real name?!
And wait, she just said I look like a doll?
Huh?!
I do remember you from that day you were picking up those papers.
Because that's when I first got the impression that you looked like a doll.
Like a doll?
Like a doll...
Kurumi!
We need to start heading to the field soon or we'll be late!
Coming!
See you around.
Ouch.
She reminds me of a doll with hair that grows!
Like a doll...
That's... the first time anyone's ever said that to me.
Did something happen, Sadako?
You look like you're in a daze there.
Well...
Umm...
The thing is...
I was complimented, which doesn't happen very often.
Wow! What did they say?
Th-That I look like a doll...
Sawadoo Doll...
I wonder if the person was really complimenting her.
No... I don't think so.
It's so hot!
We've got a pretty good chance in the tourney, don't you think?
Yeah! Definitely!
You think so?
I knew there was something different about him. He's not wearing his vest.
How are the girls doing?
Not too bad.
Sadako's really improved, too.
Improved?
Wow, really?
Good for you!
U-Umm...
Th-That's right!
Kurumi-san came by to see you earlier.
Oh, really?
Thanks for letting me know.
I wonder what she needed.
It may have something to do with the festival committee.
Oh, so Kurumi-san is a committee member, too.
Wait, you met Kurumi?
Yeah, right after I left you to come back, Yoshida-san.
And there you go, using "Yoshida-san" again.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chizu-chan...
On that topic, you and I both call her "Sadako", but...
Oh, that's right!
It's a little difficult to change the way you call someone, isn't it?
Yeah! I totally agree, Sadako!
Well, I guess we really don't have to change if it's going to be that much work.
You're Kuronuma Sawako-chan, right?
Oh, yeah! If we ever have the chance to talk again, I'll try calling her by her first name.
I'll try calling her "Kurumi-chan".
Oh yeah, Ryu.
Have you memorized Sadako's full name?
Kuroyama Takako.
You're so close!
Just a little off, Ryu! Just a little!
But I must say, that's not too bad coming from you.
I was pretty confident, too...
I'm Kuronuma.
Nice to meet you.
Oh.
Why don't you demonstrate for him, Kazehaya?
Come on, tell Ryu what her full name is.
Kuronuma Sawako.
Sounds good.
Then could you call her by just her first name this time?
What? What?! Why?
For practice, of course.
Sawako isn't used to being called by her first name or calling someone by their first name.
It's just for practice to get her used to it.
Sa...
There's no way I could do that!
I wasn't expecting you to. It was a joke.
That...
...made my heart beat so fast...
I feel like it's going to blow up...
M-My heart...
Well, it feels like I've been extra nervous around him since that day.
It feels like...
...I'm more nervous around him than I used to be.
Oh, it's Kazehaya.
Hey, you're right.
Who's the girl he's talking with?
Don't you think she's cute?
Is that something to say when your girlfriend's right here?
Kurumi-chan wouldn't suit a guy like you.
What?
Don't you think they're really cute together?
Well, I guess so...
There's actually something I want to borrow from you, too.
She's right... There's actually something I want to borrow from you, too.
Oh, right! The album!
I totally forgot. Sorry about that.
Geez!
I even reminded you!
I'm really sorry. I'll bring it tomorrow.
Wow... Please do.
Wow...
Sorry if I made you jealous. PLACEHOLDER
Okay, I'll be sure to. Sorry if I made you jealous.
I'll try not to forget. {cannot find this line anywhere before EOF -F}
M-Maybe I'll use her as my role model...
Her hair is so curly...
Curly...
D-Do you think I'd look okay with a perm?
Something curly...
A perm?!
Rawr! Rawr!
A terrifying image just flashed through my mind!
I know it's a little late, but why do you wear your hair like that?
Oh, it's because I thought longer hair would be more girly.
I do like girly things.
Oh...
I see.
Well then, why don't you try dyeing your hair instead of trying to change the length?
Yeah! That sounds good!
Why don't you dye it brown?
Brown?!
Brown...
Huh?
Wouldn't she look a little lifeless?
Want to get it permed a bit, then?
W-What's that, a barmaid?
Then what about curls?
She looks like those delinquents from old films...
Hey! I think you look fine the way you are now.
Y-You think so?
Yeah! You should keep that look for the rest of your life.
O-Okay.
Goodbye, my curly dreams...
I'll wear my hair like this for the rest of my life.
But you've always worn your hair like that, right?
Basically, it's like...
Why did you want to get it permed all of a sudden?
I... thought that curly hair looked cute.
Wow.
So you want to look cute.
Yeah...
Well, it's not because someone said I looked like a doll!
I-I-I-It made me happy, but I'm not getting too carried away or anything!
Yeah.
That's good.
Huh? You've been practicing after school?!
Why don't you go and ask Pin for a ball?
Good idea.
How should I say this...
I was a little envious.
Kurumi-chan is so cute...
I was a little envious of her.
Then, I wanted to be cute like her, too.
I couldn't help but think that.
Even though I know I'll never be nearly as pretty as her...
I wanted to do the best I could...
Sadako!
Hey, Hirano-san, Endou-san.
Call me Ekko.
I'm Tomo, remember?
E-Ekko-chan...
T-Tomo-chan...
Are you on your way to practice?
Yeah. Ch-Chizu-chan and Ayane-chan went to get a ball.
I'm waiting for them.
A ball?
They said Arai-sensei may be willing to lend us one.
Fine! I'll allow it.
If it'll help us win, I don't care if you take five, or even ten, soccer balls!
We don't need that many.
Fight!
With all our might!
Victory!
We'll defeat them all!
Yeah!!!
What is up with them?
Wait, but I thought Ayane-chan was participating in the volleyball match with you.
She is.
She volunteered to help out, saying that it'll be easier to practice with three people.
Oh, so that's how it is.
That's great, Sadako!
Yeah.
Let's both try our best to win!
Yeah! Let's!
We're really... friends...
Kazehaya!
Hey, it's been a while.
Yeah, it's been ages!
Yeah.
It's... Kazehaya-kun...
People are always talking to him. He's so popular...
Wait, why weren't you with them? He looks like he's having fun.
Wait, why weren't you with them?
Ah, I had to attend the committee meeting for the sports festival.
Oh, right. You're really involved, aren't you?
Is anyone from our middle school on the committee?
Yeah. Kurumi.
Oh... so he calls her by her first name.
Now that I think about it, this may be the first time I've heard him calling a girl by her first name.
There's no way I could do that!
He can call her by her first name so naturally...
They must be really close...
What was that feeling?
I've never asked him before, but I wonder if Kazehaya-kun has anyone special?
I wonder if calling someone by their first name makes them special to him...
I... feel a stabbing sensation in my chest...
Ku-ro-nu-ma.
Are you going to practice again today?
But... But...
My chest starts to hurt...
...just looking at his face...
W-What is it?
My... chest hurts...
S...
Huh?
Sa...
...wa...
Kazehaya!
Hey, it's Kurumi-chan.
Just now...
Was he trying to say something...
...before Kurumi-chan called his name?
What are you guys doing?
Let me join in!
What?!
I-It's nothing...
It's nothing, geez...
What's wrong with you? Weirdo!
Oh... so it was just my mind playing tricks on me...
Of course. What am I thinking?
Could it be...
...that I'm worrying too much?
It's so hot in here.
Could it be that...
...I'm thinking about Kazehaya-kun too much?
Wow! Look at all that sweat, Sawako-chan!
The tension is leaving my body!
Huh?
She really is nice...
Thanks...
Don't mention it.
There. All dry now.
I think... I'm a fan of hers now...
Wow, I didn't even know they were friends.
Oh, right. Did you need something?
Nah.
I just wanted to chat with Sawako-chan.
I'm her fan, and she's my idol...
Since we're friends now.
Right, Sawako-chan?
Yeah! Your fan-
Fr-
We're...
...friends now, right?
Friends?
Awkward words are exchanged within a tantalizing atmosphere.
Next time: Working Together.