Time passes by, and it is now nearing the end of November.
A lot of things happened during the second semester, but there's only a month left.
Morning, Sawako!
Chizu-chan!
Did I scare you? Did I?
Yeah, you did.
I've never been given such a friendly greeting in the morning!
I can do that every day, if you'd like.
R-Really?
Really.
You look like you're having a great day, Chizu-chan.
Really?
Well, it's cold today, right?
I just realized that New Years is coming up.
"Coming up"?
Almost!
Well... it's still November...
Morning, Kazehaya!
Morning!
It's really cold this morning, don't you think?
He's wearing a blazer!
Why do you sound so cheerful about that?
S-Such a fresh look... Why do you sound so cheerful about that?
S-Such a fresh look...
I haven't seen it since spring!
Is the bed hair that obvious?
N-Now that you mention it...
So you didn't notice it before?
Oh.
Then I should have just played it off as if this is how my hair usually looks like.
Kazehaya!
Come here! I want to show you something really cool!
"Something really cool"?
Later.
Even if his hair is sticking up, he looks really cute...
That?
It's new! Red bean flavor!
What's next? Miso flavor?
Kazehaya-kun looks so happy when he's surrounded by everyone...
It's so sweet! Kazehaya-kun looks so happy when he's surrounded by everyone...
...I just love watching him.
Now that I think about it, it used to be...
"He's being surrounded by everyone! That's amazing!"
"I wish I could be more like Kazehaya-kun!"
You're blushing!
It seems like my feelings are growing little by little as time passes by.
This sucks...
This is getting really annoying...
Your boyfriend?
Yeah.
The one in college?
Yeah.
Day and night, every single hour of the day...
"Whatcha up to?"
"Who are you with?"
"Let's meet up."
"Why is it taking you so long to respond?"
"Why can't we meet up right now?"
"Are you with some guy?"
I wake up in the morning and attend school just like everyone else!
And at night, I'm asleep!
Y-You're absolutely right...
But seriously, Yano-chin... Why are you even dating this guy?
Huh?
He tried to pick me up.
Why is it that those types of men pretend to be generous adults when you first meet them?
Back then, I used to think that hanging out with girls was a drag,
but I realized that dating guys is even more annoying.
I-Is that true...?
No, I think there are a lot of things wrong with this situation.
She must love him so much to feel this down...
I guess everyone has their own romantic situations.
Oh, Ryu!
I'm gonna visit you tonight, so you better be home.
Sure.
Let me play that game!
I want to continue from where I left off last time.
Fine, I guess.
Or do you want to play a two-player game?
No.
Chizu-chan and Sanada-kun almost seem like they're breathing the same air...
I... only love Chizuru.
They're a great match!
You rarely see people like these two who are just meant to be!
I wonder how Chizu-chan feels about him...
Does she...
...like him...?
Lookin' good, pops!
Yo, Chizu-chan!
It's so cold out!
I'm gonna be working here again during winter break.
That'll really help us out.
You're like our mascot, you know?
I guess you could say that.
Well, I'll be upstairs!
Sure.
But seriously, Chizu-chan...
It would have been great if you had been my daughter.
Yeah, I wish!
Were you about to go to bed?!
Yeah, cause you're late.
What the heck?! I told you I was coming!
Wait-
Game over...
This stupid lion...!
You mean 'chimera'?
I just remembered what you said in your sleep.
What?
I never talk in my sleep.
That...
That lion...
That chimera...
Oh yeah...
Is there anything you want?
Something no more than 500 yen.
A new mitt.
Something no more than 500 yen.
Anything but massage tokens.
It can be anything.
Thanks.
I never said I was going to give you anything!
Yeah, thanks.
I'm leaving!
Sure.
Oh yeah, for New Years...
A-Actually, never mind.
It's nothing!
Night!
Oh...
So the real reason she came was to ask about that.
Hello?
Yeah.
Dad's in the shower.
Yeah.
Next week...?
I should tell her...
Sawako! Yano-chin!
Will you guys come shopping with me today?
Shopping?!
Oh, I can't.
What? Why?
I need to meet up with my boyfriend.
I want to see him as soon as possible.
Bye.
U-Umm...
I'm free.
Really?!
Sweet!
Wh-What are you going to buy?
Oh...
A present for Ryu.
His birthday's coming up.
Great! Great!
Well, you know how I have an odd sense of duty.
Let go of me!!
Get yourself together, Joe!
She's... always sending me hot vibes!
Aren't you the one doing that to her ?!
She probably doesn't even know your name!
Say, do you believe in destiny?
Can't you hear the footsteps of our destiny getting louder?
I love you too!
Who are you?
Get up!
Get back on your feet!
Get back up, Joe!!
What did you get him last year?
I didn't have any money, so I gave him some massage tokens.
"Massage tokens"?
He used them all up on the spot.
I had to give him a neck massage for three hours straight.
She must be taking good care of his body!
My budget is 500 yen this year.
What better gift than this?!
I can't get him a new mitt, but I can at least get him a glove sack!
Hang onto this for a sec.
I have enough.
That even surprised me.
Okay.
I guess I can spend a little extra this year!
It's love!
Wow, that was a satisfying purchase!
Good for you, Chizu-chan!
A mini skirt?
I just figured that changing my image every now and then can't do much harm.
Ramen! Ramen! Ramen!
La, la, la, ramen!
I want to ask her...
I wonder if it's okay to do that...
Or maybe it isn't...
But right now, I get the feeling it's okay to ask!
U-Umm... Chizu-chan?
I-Is there someone you like?!
I asked her!
What's this all of a sudden?
Yeah, I do.
I've liked him for a while, but it's one-sided.
F-For a while?
I can keep up a one-sided love for years!
So...
This means...
We've known each other since we were kids, after all.
I knew it!!
But he only sees me as his little sister.
That's not true!
Why?
Th-That's just what I think.
It's okay!
Don't try to be so considerate about it.
I'm still a kid, so I know I'm too young to make him look at me.
That's why I'm going to grow up to be one hell of a babe.
There's no knowing what can happen once I become an adult, right?
I'm... glad I asked.
I've never seen Chizu-chan's face like this...
But I guess it's pretty sad that I rarely get to see him.
He lives in Sapporo, so there's not much I can do.
He didn't come home for this year's Bon Festival, so I literally haven't seen him for a year.
But he'll definitely come home for New Years!
He'll finally get to see the new me, a girl who's entered high school!
Huh...?
I'm starting to get a little confused, so would you mind if I just asked you downright?
What's up?
The person you like is Sanada-kun, right?
Wait, don't tell me you're talking about Ryu?
Huh?
Y-Yeah.
No, not him!
Ryu is like a brother of mine.
I wouldn't even mind if we became brother and sister.
Brother... and sister?
The one I like... is Ryu's older brother.
That was embarrassing!
Hey...
Does Sanada-kun know about this?
Ryu?
Of course he does!
Oh... so he knows...
Why do you ask?
N-No reason.
I was just curious...
Throw it to second!
Raise your voice, Sanada!
Yes, sir!
Same with the rest of you!
Yes, sir!
Let's go!
I didn't know you were still at school.
I was cheering Joe up with Tanaka and the others.
He's a reckless guy as always...
So, we decided to throw a party to cheer him up.
You doing anything next weekend?
Next week?
I actually can't.
You've got plans already?
Wouldn't really call them "plans"...
My bro's coming home.
How about something like this?
Looks like you'll be freezing.
You've gotta be pumped-up to wear something like this.
That won't be a problem for me!
She's gleaming...
I've got long legs, you see. She's gleaming...
I've got long legs, you see.
She's a maiden in love. I've got long legs, you see.
She's a maiden in love.
It's a great thing to be able to see someone you love, after all.
Morning, Ryu!
Yo.
Good... morning...
Morning!
M-Morning.
Hey, what do you think about this?
What, winter clothes?
Yeah, a mini skirt.
How much is that?
Let's see...
15000-
That's expensive!
Oh, right... I'm low on cash right now.
I wanted to have it for New Years.
New Years?
Can't you just buy it with the money you get for the holidays?
Then it'll be too late!
What if Tohru only sticks around for New Year's Eve and the day after?
Oops?
So his name is Tohru...
I didn't say anything.
I didn't say anything, right?
I... guess not?
Isn't it a little too early for this ruckus?
Hey, Yano-chin-
We broke up.
You got dumped?!
I dumped him !
It was a disaster, you know.
Yeah, I can tell.
I just told him how I really felt, and the next thing...
I'm sorry!
I'm so sorry!
You're all I've got!
Let's live together!
How about it, Ayane?!
Wow... this guy didn't listen to a word I just said.
I didn't like him after all.
He was really annoying, you know?
I figured you went to meet up with him for a date or something.
Couldn't you tell from the tone of my voice?
I can't even think of the words to comfort her...
But it's not like I was wishing for something like this from the start.
Yano-chin...!
What?!
Why are you acting like I was the one who got dumped?!
I was rejected too!
We're both victims of a broken heart!
Don't put us on the same level!
These things always come with love, but it's really painful, isn't it?
Yeah!
Definitely!
I told you, I'm the one who dumped him !
You don't need to act tough! I told you, I'm the one who dumped him !
You don't need to act tough!
You're hurt, right?
Aren't you hurt, Yano?!
Ryu!
So you still haven't told Yoshida.
I tried, but it's a little tough.
Would you tell her if you were in my shoes?
Huh? Me?
I guess I would.
The one who'll decide what to do isn't me but her.
Yeah, I knew you'd say that.
You're right about that.
It would be way too dramatic if Chizuru saw my bro without knowing anything.
Yeah.
But... it's still tough having to tell her.
New Years?
Mini skirt?
Sure, why not?
You think so?
Then maybe one with frills!
Well, why not get something that looks good on you?
Wait, that won't look good on me?
A conversation between two maidens...
So, this guy you like. I wonder what he looks like...
Hey, can we come and see him too?
Man, you guys will embarrass me!
She looks so happy!
I-I was here acting all cheerful when you just got over a relationship!
Y-Yeah, it's fine.
I'm so sorry, Yano-chin! Cheer up!
Oh yeah, we should throw a party at my place to cheer you up!
Okay... Okay...
On Friday! A sleepover!
You'd better come too!
Sleepover?
I'm invited?
We're gonna play a fighting game!
A... game?
Chizuru, it's me.
I'm coming in.
Hey!
You're supposed to come in after you get my permission!
What if I was changing or something?!
Right, then I'll say the same to you.
So, what's up?
It's been a while since you came over.
Here.
Not gonna eat?
Hey...
That was close...!
What?
N-Nothing!
Chizuru, the thing is...
G-Go home already! Chizuru, the thing is...
G-Go home already!
What?
No questions asked! Just go home!
W-Wait, but there's something I need to-
Leave!
What should I do...
Up until now, I've been so focused on trying to interact with other people.
Because of that, I've never really given much thought about love.
Being in love must be as difficult as making friends.
The reason why I understand that now...
...is probably because I fell in love with Kazehaya-kun.
A non-fading smile breaks over her face.
Next time: Dream.