It's summer already.
A lot has happened since we started our love lab in here.
You're revising too much!
Hell, it turned into pure fantasy somewhere in the middle!
Love Lab?
A lot has changed since we started the love lab,
but there have been zero romantic developments.
We still don't have any contact with boys.
What are you doing, Riko?
My grades are so bad, I've been forced to attend cram school.
I've got tons of assignments.
Cram school? The same one that the boy you rejected is attending?
What? Really?
Isn't that awkward?
Don't you have some ex-boyfriends there, too?
I-It's in the past. It'll be fine!
Plus, it's a lie.
But they might still like you.
What if they start fighting over Riko-senpai?
It must be like lying on a bed of nails.
It is right now.
Is one of your ex-boyfriends...
that guy?!
The Yan in your head is steadily turning into a monster.
No way.
He did help me out a lot, though.
It was my first time, so what he did helped.
It was a little intense for me, though.
What? The Yan inside your head's blurred by a mosaic.
Entrance exams were a piece of cake for Yan, so I had him help me study.
Oh, the mosaic's gone.
He can be kind, can't he?
Some Modifications
I think he said a lifetime's worth of sarcastic remarks while we were studying, though.
What?
Editing Mistake
Hey, why don't you investigate the subject of this letter while you're at cram school?
Which one?
The one in the suggestion box from the south building.
"Hairstyles boys like."
She's particularly interested in what boys from the nearby Southern Middle School think.
The Fuji Girls' Student Council always responds to the faith our students put in us.
We must acquire all sorts of information.
And how do you actually feel?
I'm curious, too.
I'm not sure anyone at my cram school is from Southern Middle School.
Besides, everyone's got their own tastes.
But we might find tendencies toward a popular preference.
If you can't do that one, then ask that boy you rejected about this.
What?
What should you say when you just want to be friends with someone you're dating?
I can't ask him that!
Southern Middle School?
He goes there.
Uh, um...
Sacchan.
Nagi! That's what everyone calls me.
Okay, Nagi-chan!
I'll pound you!
Okay, Nagi-kun.
Why is your reaction even worse now, you jerk?!
Hurry up and say your piece. You're getting annoying.
What types of girls are popular at your school?
G-Girls who don't punch boys...
What hairstyle is the most common among the popular girls?
Is there a hairstyle boys from Southern Middle School like?
What?
Everyone's got their own opinion.
I thought as much.
Why are you even asking about that?
Someone I know was asking.
You're always trying to help people, aren't you?
Well, I guess silky, long, black hair might be popular.
There's apparently a really gorgeous girl at Fuji Girls'.
She's the idol of all the boys at our school.
I haven't seen her yet, though.
Do you know her?
Could he mean...
Southern Middle School's full of scary girls.
We're starved for cute ones.
You're cute.
S-Sorry, I couldn't help it!
But it was a compliment!
Shut up!
Based on your attitude, I bet you still haven't remembered anything about my confession.
Why did I fall for this girl?
Okay.
I just forgot about our past!
Huh? Wait...
If you don't remember, it's like it never happened.
Ah, what a relief.
My dark past is gone.
"Dark past"?!
Oh, really?
By the way, there was something else I wanted to ask you.
Sure, what is it?
What do you say when you just want to be friends with a boy
who confessed his feelings to you?
Modified it a little
Oh? Is something wrong?
Well...
Boys will eventually come to their senses and leave inconsiderate girls
who don't consider boys' feelings,
so I'd say just ride it out.
I see.
What?
Straight, black hair is popular?
Not fluffy cotton candy, but silky, pitch black hair?
The idol Nagi mentioned is probably Maki.
Boys will eventually come to their senses and leave inconsiderate girls.
What... Riko?
Why are you curling my hair?
You said you wanted to change your hairstyle before.
Stop!
Maki's House
If straight, black hair is popular,
we should develop a plan to make the most of this weapon,
and tell the girl who submitted the request.
I must work harder to care for my hair!
It's time for a bath.
All your pain will disappear.
Cold is the enemy of girls and your liver.
Natsuo, let me borrow a book.
Huh? Is she in the bath?
Ah, she must have been studying.
Let's see...
Operation: Hair Appeal
"Operation: Hair Appeal"?
Maki Natsuo's "Operation: Hair Appeal," Part 1!
Place a large fan in front of Southern Middle School's gate.
Show off your fluttering hair, and become popular.
I'm not sure I can use the budget to pay for a large fan...
I know!
If a typhoon comes, you can become popular without spending a thing!
Operation Part 2!
Wet your hair for a sexy look.
It's not unnatural during pool season.
It's a ten-minute walk from Fuji Girls' to Southern Middle School.
Considering the time it takes to dry,
if you leave dripping wet, it will be perfect by the time you get there.
Sparkling drops in your hair will multiply the effect.
The Next Day
Rejected.
Why?!
Maki Natsuo's "Operation: Hair Appeal (Modified)," Part 1!
Dance near the school!
Part 2!
Play in a band near the school!
Part 3!
Fish near the school!
Part 4!
Cram school?
Your tutor Matsubara-san is quitting after she gets married, right?
The cram school my acquaintance runs is supposed to be quite good.
But you said I couldn't go to cram school because there are boys there.
Father, something is wrong with Natsuo!
What's wrong?
Perhaps because of her lack of contact with boys,
her aspiration for romance has grown increasingly wild.
If she meets a smooth-talking boy, she'll fall for his lines in a heartbeat.
Your overprotective nature is also to blame!
What?
You need to let Natsuo learn something about reality!
You shouldn't have any contact with boys at your girls' school either...
Currently attending Fujisaki Girls' Academy
You sound like you know something about the real world.
I'm shocked.
The advanced classes seem quite difficult, so I won't force you—
I'll go! I'll go!
It's time to show the fruits of my labor.
I'm talking about academics, of course!
Oh, really?
Now knows the truth
Now I'll finally have contact with boys, too.
I might finally meet the prince of my dreams.
Natsuo, we're here.
Yes, Father.
Masaomi-san.
The girl joining the advanced class is going to be visiting today.
Irikimi-sensei, could you call me by my family name?
I'm calling you Masaomi out of friendliness.
It actually feels strangely distant.
Maybe I'll call you Yan-san, like Riko-san does.
Masaomi is fine.
So, I hope you'll be nice to the new girl.
I hope she doesn't quit immediately, saying she can't keep up.
Two people just quit recently.
Don't worry. She's a smart girl.
Oh, she's here.
This is your new friend, Maki-san.
I need to speak with her father. Will you show her around?
This way.
Just the two of them?
This isn't what we agreed upon.
They just quit the other day.
There will be more soon.
He could've told me her family name.
What's your name?
The teacher just said my family name.
It's Natsuo.
Natsuo. Natsuo Maki, huh?
Well, Natsuo-san.
Natsuo-san
Y-You can't call me that!
What?
Wh-What are you... A-And honorifics... D-Don't...
What's going on?
She doesn't want me to use honorifics?
So... Natsuo, then?
Natsuo
I don't have my IC recorder!
No, that's not the problem!
I must have misheard him...
Are you all right, Natsuo?
Riko!
She's gorgeous!
Drop-dead gorgeous!
M-Maki?!
Riko!
Wh-What's wrong? Calm down.
What are you doing here, anyway?
There you are.
Why did you suddenly start shouting...
Yan-san stole another one of my firsts!
N-No, I didn't!
What's all this ruckus?
G-Gosh, I've created such a mess.
I'm sorry for causing so much trouble.
If I were as popular as Riko, I wouldn't get upset over something like this.
I'm ashamed.
Popular?
You know, don't you?
She's always been...
Hey, let's go.
I'll see you at school tomorrow.
Popular?
Have you been putting on airs to fool your friends?
N-No, you idiot!
You don't know anything.
I feel terrible now!
Yeah, I do...
I feel terrible.
The one who feels the most terrible
That's me.
Riko.
Maki.
Did you hear?
The school's policy changed
from forbidding romantic relationships, to encouraging them.
What?!
We don't have to conduct our love lab in secret anymore!
Let's begin conducting
Love Master Riko's romantic technique courses at all school meetings!
Wait, I can't do that!
Why not?
Because you've been putting on airs to fool your friends into thinking you're popular?
N-No, there's a reason for this!
Let's hear it after school in the faculty office, then.
For now, you can stand.
What?!
Faculty Office
You're slacking off.
You're a member of the student council, aren't you?
Pull yourself together.
Come on, tie your necktie.
Your president, Maki, always looks so sharp.
Maki's perfect, but when she's here...
Hey.
What's wrong, Maki?
Goodbye, pure girl memory.
Are you talking about what happened at cram school yesterday?
When you said Yan stole another of your firsts?
Yes. He's far too cruel.
He took it from me.
T-Took what?
The memory of my first time being called Natsuo without an honorific!
He suddenly said my name without an honorific!
Twice, even!
Has Yan always been that kind of guy?
Come on, that's nothing.
Nothing?
I know you don't understand how someone inexperienced in love feels,
given how popular and experienced you are, but still!
Understands completely
I'm sure it's nothing to make a fuss over,
but I had always longed to be called by my name.
I even imagined an ideal situation.
Days Hours Minutes Seconds
My boyfriend still hasn't called me by my name.
Since we began dating, it's been 86 days, 9 hours, 27 minutes, and 3,
4, 5, 6...
That's a terrifying sentimental countdown!
The sunny weather turns into a hurricane.
Go home.
Just like my heart.
That's way too wild.
Ramen
A sign comes flying by.
Seriously, go home!
Watch out, Natsuo!
Did you just call me Natsuo?
That's a ridiculous development.
Say it again.
Later.
Go home already!
But, he said it so easily...
What's important is having someone you love say it.
So don't worry about it.
You're right.
That boy you rejected never uses honorifics with you, but it doesn't bother you.
I feel much better.
Thank you, Riko.
Have you been putting on airs to fool your friends?
I feel worse.
Wh-What's wrong?
The Next Day
It's President Maki!
She's always so neat and trim.
Her fluttering hair is so beautiful.
But there's no wind right now.
Princess Fuji is so beautiful, she even controls natural phenomena!
Such feminine strength!
Superhuman Strength
Are you a master of love?
W-Well, yeah! I've had a few boyfriends, of course.
Why did I say that?
If I hadn't said that, this never would have happened.
Shut up!
Oh? Are you in a bad mood?
Did something happen?
Huh? Oh... no, nothing.
How was that, then?
I was performing "Beautiful Hair Fluttering in the Wind."
I thought you were broiling eels.
The wind doesn't always blow.
With your own wind, you'll never miss an opportunity.
You can fan yourself from the shadows, like this.
That's terrifying!
At least use a portable fan.
But producing results the easy way doesn't seem satisfying.
It's all right. You'll never produce results.
Shadows are dark and scary, aren't they?
I'm not sure you understand what's scary.
I know.
I can use the light, and...
It's so hot today.
The hallways are boiling.
Oh, my.
Was I so stunning, I made your jaws drop?
Increasing the beauty of your hair with the power of light,
"Operation: Backlit Goddess."
An evil goddess!
Its appeal seems almost devilish, doesn't it?
You optimistic devil.
Hey! The eco goddess who needs no air conditioner!
Don't encourage her!
I suddenly feel a chill.
A performance of fluttering hair?
What are you, stupid?
You're always coming up with such lame ideas.
You've got it wrong! That's just a habit!
Fanning yourself is fine as long as you don't overdo it.
Just do it normally.
I-I see.
They're rather bulky to carry around, though.
That's where the portable slapstick comes in!
Why a slapstick?
You can slap people and fan yourself!
This picture doesn't make sense!
They'll know you're a girl who will come back with sharp remarks when people act stupid!
Why are you always so confident when it comes to slapsticks?
When I went to public school, we used desk pads as fans.
So did I.
I would fan myself under my clothes.
I played with static electricity.
I threw mine!
Huggy!
This is it!
What is?
Break out your desk pad in front of Southern Middle School and fan yourself!
It's natural.
Not at all.
It's a little embarrassing, but you can fan yourself under your clothes.
You'll be fanning the flames.
You think that's pretty clever, don't you?
Direct attention to your hair by playing with static electricity.
Show off your innocence.
You can single out boys around you, too.
That seems awfully malicious.
Then, throw it at the boy you like.
It'll create an opportunity to speak with him.
You have a full course for that desk pad?
There. We have our answer.
As our representative of straight, long, black hair,
I will instruct you in techniques for effectively showing off your hair.
You better not be talking about using a desk pad.
But, if we respond to this one, I feel like we'll receive even more requests.
We'll never run out of subjects for our love lab.
That's nothing to be happy about.
We're about to get even busier.
What are you going to do if you push yourself too hard and collapse again?
You're right. We can't respond to all of them.
After all we've dealt with recently,
I'd like to avoid drawing attention for a while.
But we can't ignore them.
Maybe we could just pick up the ones that seem easy.
If the student council chooses, it may make some students bitter.
They may think we're playing favorites.
This is so annoying.
Why don't you tell them using this?
Hey, yeah, the newspaper association...
What?
Well, they...
We thought we heard someone calling, so we came running.
Liar!
We brought our newest paper.
We're proud of this one.
Fuji Girls' News (Trial Copy)
Friends are great!
Friendship and Smiles
A Rare Shot of Mizushima Sayori's Smile
You're so mean.
We printed on both sides for this one.
Princess Boom in the Student Council?
A Mysterious Princess (LOL) Appears!
Nice paper.
Don't react like that!
It really is a nice paper.
Don't react like that, either!
Aren't Nana-chan's photos wonderful?
I'm not sure they're as good as your writing, Momo-senpai.
Ichikawa-senpai, your photos are wonderful.
I knew you could do it.
Y-You think so?
It really is a nice paper.
Nice and harsh.
So funny...
Isn't it?
But what we'd like you to focus on is...
Under the main article.
Right here.
Love Lab Correspondence
Romance Lab Correspondence?
Call it the Love Lab Correspondence.
Preview
Maki's being pushed around.
It's kind of refreshing, though.
Don't act unconcerned because it doesn't affect you.
Letting my hair flutter while I'm being pushed around seems romantically effective.
Do you want someone to grab your legs and spin you around?
That's just a giant swing. What are you, a professional wrestler?
Love truly is war.
How deep.
Love isn't scripted, though.
Be My Friend Forever
Don't say such dangerous things!
Don't miss the next episode!