Hana!
Can I come in?
Sure.
Your high school uniform is ready.
Here, Hana.
I know this is sudden, but try it on.
Wh-What do you think?
It's adorable!
R-Really? I hope it's okay.
Of course it's okay.
You look cute!
M-More importantly, Shion...
Um, do I really look like a first year high school student?
Don't worry! Instead of a high school student, you could pass for middle school student.
N-Now I hope that's not true.
Oh, wait!
Do I look like a first year high school student?
I-I don't know about that...
Sh-Shion!
Hana, smile!
You don't have to take a photo!
It's embarrassing...
Then why don't we take a picture together?
Maybe we should take it outside.
I don't know if it's a good idea for you to wear that outside!
THE FIRST BUTTERFLIES
"At last, it's the opening ceremony. I'm off."
TO MOM
Send.
GOOD LUCK MOM
Mom...
From Dad too...
Another mail from Mom?
YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ANYTHING, HAVE YOU? MOM
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A MAIL FROM DAD
YOU MAY BE GETTING MAIL FROM YOUR MOTHER TOO, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY KEEP YOUR CHIN UP, STUDY HARD, AND ENJOY THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH FRIENDS! I'M ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT YOU! MOM IS ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT YOU TOO! DAD
Again?!
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A MAIL FROM MOM
Dad's mail is being drowned out.
HOSHIO PRIVATE GIRLS ACADEMY ENTRANCE CEREMONY
And that ends the entrance ceremony.
I was so nervous!
Am I really a high school student now?
Ow!
Um...
Kamuri?
Sorry. You look so much like a girl I know...
Eiko...
It is you?
Eiko...
I mean, you... you haven't changed since then...
Eiko!
Kamuri!
You really haven't changed,
even though I haven't seen you since elementary school.
Rapid growth!
I'm a growing child, after all.
You sure are! You've grown a lot.
I see. Everyone has friends from elementary school or middle school.
They're all friends already.
Good morning!
G-Good morning!
Huh?
- Good morning! - Morning!
- Good morning! - Morning.
Good morning!
What the?!
Why, if it isn't Tokura!
The girls from the hallway...
So we're in the same class, huh?
I know it's gonna be a great year!
Yeah. And it's kind of a relief
knowing someone on the first day, right?
Totally! I was so nervous that it made me hyper!
I know where you're coming from.
What's this?
You've got something growing on your hip.
Come on, Kamu, don't hide.
Introduce yourself.
I'm Kamuri Sengoku.
Nice to meet you.
You're the cutest little thing!
HMPH
You know, she hadn't grown at all since elementary school.
I'm a late bloomer, so I grow slower than the average person.
Huh? I thought you said you were a growing child.
You'll be sorry 60 years from now.
A long-term plan!
If you're 75 years old and still worried about your height,
you'll be a really petty person.
But that would mean you'd still be friends 60 years from now.
Friendship that deep moves me.
I feel like you're forcing it into a warm, fuzzy feeling.
I'm moved by my own power to turn a comeback line into a heartwarming story.
Come to think of it, this is really our first time together.
Exactly! Back in middle school, we were only together
for the joint classes, P.E. and home ec.
Those girls are in my class too.
Wow. They're already so close to each other.
When I can't even return a simple greeting.
Hey, get in the room.
Homeroom's about to begin.
First of all, congratulations on getting into this school.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST DAY
I'm your homeroom teacher, Enami.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you!
So I'll guess we'll do self introductions in alphabetical order.
I had a feeling we would have to introduce ourselves.
Ichinose.
Y-Yes!
I'm always called first for attendance
and I always have to sit in the front.
That's the fate of someone with the family name "Ichinose."
I hate this...
I'm Hana Ichinose.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Low energy from the very first day of school, huh?
Ichinose, it looks like today's your birthday.
Happy birthday!
You're the first birthday of the school year!
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday.
Th-Thank you!
All right. Next, Imai.
Right. I'm Chihiro Imai. Um, I was in drama club in middle school.
That was embarrassing.
I never thought people would wish me
My hobbies are...
happy birthday on the first day of school.
I'm Kamuri Sengoku.
I like sleeping and eating and my special skill is eating a lot.
Nice to meet you.
Um, I'm Eiko Tokura.
My special skill...
If I have to say something, I guess I'm good with my hands.
I don't know about making tons of friends,
but I would like to get along with all of you.
Nice to meet you!
I'm Tamate Momochi!
Please just call me Tama!
Tama Momochi! I'm Tama Momochi!
Everyone in first-year, class 2, please think well of Tama Momochi!
Is she campaigning?
Well, that's all for today.
Birthday girl!
M-Ms. Momochi?
You can just call me Tama.
Um, here.
It's your birthday present.
ROAD SAFETY
A good luck charm?
A birthday present?
Then here's one from me.
From me too. Here.
They were giving them out this morning in front of the station.
You kind of just spoiled it.
Sorry that's all you get, but I didn't know it was your birthday!
None of us did, of course. We only just met.
Oh, that's right!
What? Did you just realize that?
I'll have something better lined up for your birthday next year.
Yes, next time I'll give you a real present.
All right! From today, I'll start researching what you really want!
That raises the bar.
I think a whole cake would be good.
That's only because you want to eat it, right, Kamu?
What else would be good?
I just met them and they're already talking about next year...
A whole cake.
What about something spicy. Spicy is good!
No, a whole cake...
You keep suggesting food.
I know, right?
E-Excuse me!
ROAD SAFETY
Thank you! I'll treasure these!
You look like someone who really doesn't want to get in an accident!
H-Huh?
Now you can feel safe going to and from school.
Thank goodness.
What's wrong?
We gave her the road safety good luck charms,
so now we'll all get into an accident.
Those charms were protecting us.
Then we should just go home with her.
That's a great idea!
Let's walk to the station together.
Maybe you already had plans?
Um, I walk to school...
I'm envious!
So you're within walking distance!
You get to sleep as late as you like.
If I tag along with them now, they might think I'm strange.
She probably takes a shower in the morning.
And she can have a leisurely breakfast.
But... but...
What's that?!
They're being friendly to me and I don't want to lose my chance.
If you walk to school, then you may not have seen the cherry blossoms by the station.
They're amazing!
It's like a huge cherry blossom tunnel!
It's really beautiful.
I mean, it's a little out of your way,
but how about going with us to the station?
S-Sure.
Between the entrance ceremony and your birthday,
it's like you're on a celebratory streak, Ms. Hana!
Th-There's no need for the "Ms.", um... Ms. Momochi.
Then please call me Tama!
Tama...
Did your parents name you "Hana" because you were born in the spring?
Y-Yeah.
That's a cute name!
Oh, but so is Tamate.
Please just call me Tama!
You're pretty insistent. You don't want to be called Tamate?
Just "Tama" has a friendlier ring...
Tamate.
Tama!
Tama...
...te.
Ugh!
You don't like your own name?
Oh, a direct question was really effective.
No, no, it's not that I don't like it...
Okay, the name Tamate comes from "tamatebako," a treasure chest.
I thought that might be the case.
But Tamate is a pretty name.
No, no, no, no, no!
Let me tell you about "tamatebako."
TAMATEBAKO
You don't split the word between "tamate" and "bako,"
TAMATE BAKO
TAMATEBAKO
but between "tama" and "tebako," like "treasure" and "chest."
TAMA TEBAKO
Do you see?!
My dumb parents!
They should've thought about it a little more before naming me!
I was thinking you didn't like it because of the "treasure chest" origin.
Like when you open the treasure chest and become an old woman.
That's another reason not to like it...
Sorry about that.
But I really do think Tamate is a cute name.
Thank you.
I get it.
Get what?
Deriving the name "Tamate" from "tamatebako"
would be like having meatballs
and naming someone "Meatba" after them.
MEAT
MEATBA
Meatba...
Meatba!
Sheesh!
I guess I wouldn't like that.
It's not that funny, Eiko!
Sorry. Kamu just cracked me up with that incredible example.
Now that I think of it, Kamu is also an unusual name.
Yes, it's written as "Kanmuri," but pronounced "Kamuri."
Kanmuri?! "Tiara"?
There must be an incredible origin story behind that.
D-Don't tell me you have the precious blood of a royal family flowing through your veins!
Peasants!
Royal family? Actually, I don't know the origin of your name,
but I am curious.
I think it's taken from "kanmuriwashi," or "crested serpent eagle."
That sounds strong!
Do crested serpent eagles have a crest?
The crest is the feathers that grow from their head.
Like this.
A ribbon?!
An eagle, huh? Compared to that, we're little birds.
Little birdie...
That's an eagle's prey!
Although I imagine you more as a predator, Eiko.
Really?
Shall I prey on you?
There, see?! There it is!
In middle school, everyone knew who Eiko was, and that name echoed throughout the school.
She was the most popular girl in the whole school.
That's not true.
Eiko's been making a big impression since elementary school.
Sounds like you've got valuable info!
I'm not going to let that slip on by.
Don't you jump on this bandwagon, Kamu!
They're both exaggerating.
O-Okay.
There, Hana understands.
That's your charm working on her, Eiko.
I may actually be having a good time...
Charm... meatballs...
Wow!
If we were in a dating sim game, this would definitely be used for an event.
I'm hungry. I want to eat meatba.
Kamu, you can say the whole word, "meatballs," right?
Hey, is there a good café or something around here?
I mean, next time we can all have tea together.
Please tell us!
A sweets café or bakery...
And while we're at it, recommend a supermarket
that has cheap fish and vegetables!
I-I'm sorry!
J-Just last year... I mean, this year...
I just moved here this year, so there's nothing I can tell you...
Nothing...
So that's why you didn't know about the row of cherry blossom trees.
Was your father transferred here?
N-No. I'm by myself...
You live alone?
How mature of you!
That's adulty!
My cousin is the landlady of the apartment,
so even though I say I'm living alone, it's like I have a roommate.
You have a roommate?!
I want to visit you there sometime!
Great! You're welcome to come over anytime!
Are you sure? We'll make it into our hang-out.
Then can I leave some sweets there?
O-Of course. You can leave whatever you like there.
You're happy you went out of your way, right?
See you tomorrow!
See you!
S-See you tomorrow!
Bye-bye.
This is the first time friends from school have given me a present.
Friends...
Hana! Dinner's ready.
Okay!
It's a feast!
After all, it's a double celebration, the first day of high school and your birthday!
Thank you, Shion!
Come on, let's eat.
Thank you for the food!
Hana...
I apologize if I'm wrong,
but have you made friends?
H-How did you know?
I could just tell by the way you're enjoying dinner.
I haven't seen you look like that since you came here.
I-Is it really written all over my face?
In capital letters!
By friends, I mean... It's kind of complicated.
I went to see the cherry blossoms by the station with them.
That sounds nice.
But all we did was talk and look at the cherry blossoms. I mean...
I don't know if it's okay to call them my friends just from that.
Of course it's okay!
R-Really?
This makes me really happy too.
Maybe I'll check out the cherry blossoms by the station too...
In my old high school uniform!
I-I think you should wear your normal clothes for that, Shion!
HANA
Happy birthday, Hana!
Thank you, Shion!
Here.
Your birthday present.
C-Can I open it?
Of course!
An umbrella! Thank you, Shion!
Isn't it cute how it looks just like a leek?
L-Leek?
Here.
ROAD SAFETY
They were handing them out at the station.
This way you'll be safe going to and from school.
W-Wow, I sure will!
You made friends already? That's great!
Yeah. I was really nervous, but it may turn out fine.
Maybe...
Yes, you'll be fine! You worry too much, Hana.
It's getting late.
It's still cold, so be sure to keep yourself warm when you go to bed.
I will. Tell Dad I said hi.
Goodnight.
Father, Hana says she made friends.
Really? She made friends, huh?
Good for you, Hana.
See you later!
See you later.
Well, well, yesterday's birthday girl! Good morning!
Yesterday's birthday girl. Good morning.
M-Maybe they haven't remembered my name?
I'm hungry.
Isn't it early?
We've got a ways to go before lunch.
E-Excuse me...
Tama! Eiko! Kamuri!
I-I'm Hana Ichinose!
Again, it's nice to meet you!
Oh, that's right! Hana!
It was the impact of your birthday...
No, we knew it.
Hana Ichinose.
Seventeen years old.
I studied a year to get into this school, so I'm off to a slow start...
...but my high school life has begun.