I'm back!
Welcome home!
Shion, the package by the door...
I forgot!
I took in Ms. Hannen's package this morning!
Ms. Hannen?
She lives on the second floor. I have to get it to her!
But the chicken...
- Do you want me to take it up? - What should I do?
You, Hana?
Are you sure?
Yeah, no problem.
Even though you were so shy before...
you've made progress, Hana.
Shion!
Tell me what to say after I ring the bell and hand over the package!
As detailed as possible!
Hana...
THE PREMIUM TOURNAMENT ON THE SECOND FLOOR
Yes?
U-Um, I'm the landlady!
I've come to deliver a package
that came when you were out
this morning!
Th-That didn't come out strange, did it?
U-Um...
Who are you?
Th-The landlady...
No, you're not.
The landlady has more up top.
HANDLE WITH CARE
Boom!
U-Um, but I'm the landlady's—
The one before the stacked one was a middle-aged man!
I see right through your scheme!
H-Help me, Shion!
So let me give you a proper introduction this time.
This is Ms. Hannen.
And this is my cousin, Hana.
Hello.
I-It's nice to meet you!
I'm sorry, Ms. Hannen.
I forgot all about the package.
Not at all! I apologize for all of the packages that come in.
All apologies aside, stay for fried chicken.
Oh, I...
Ms. Hannen graduated from high school last year
and was living here alone to study for college entrance exams.
So right now...
You're still studying for them, huh?
Yes, because I failed them all!
This year, too!
Hot!
I see. Ms. Hannen is here to study for exams just like I was.
U-Um, I apologize for before.
I wasn't able to explain myself well.
Oh, well, I apologize for suddenly yelling at you.
Good, now you've patched things up.
We weren't close enough to have patched things up.
But now that you've met and live in the same apartment building,
you can be friends!
Go on, shake hands!
Nah, I don't think that's something the landlady can decide.
Shake hands!
- A-All right. Just this once. - O-Okay.
Ms. Hannen is shaking?
Hana, too!
And...
now...
the shaking has squared!
U-Um, actually...
I'm a year behind.
That explains it!
You're good with umbrellas because you've been here a year!
Huh? What?
You're also good at tying lace sandals.
I-I didn't even realize I had those abilities!
Someone with experience like that has different abilities!
I think it's cool!
Viva gap year!
E-Everyone...
Then my gap year wasn't a waste.
Thanks, everyone!
That was an extremely self-serving dream.
The ball game tournament is in June.
Think about which game you want to enter.
We'll decide on Monday.
Okay!
Speaking of balls, "tama," right?
And not to put too fine a point on it, but that's me, Tama!
I'm prepared to be fawned over as the tournament's mascot character!
So let's see it!
- Never mind that. Take your seat. - Sure.
TAIKAI HANNEN
Taikai Hannen...
Yes?
Um, I'm here to give you a package that came.
Oh, w-wait a second!
S-Sorry! A big package like that...
- But it's light— - It must be heavy!
Give it to me...
M-Ms. Hannen?
I'll just leave it here.
Sorry about this. Making you carry my packages around...
Even though I'm always at home,
I've been missing them because of bad timing.
The landlady holds my packages for me when that happens.
Um, do you host an event or something, Ms. Hannen?
Event?
It says "Taikai Hannen." "Taikai" for like a "tournament."
Oh, it's not read as "Taikai," but "Hiroe."
It's my name.
S-Sorry! That was a terrible mistake!
Oh, no one can read it.
Anyway, despite the size, this package is really light.
What the heck is in it?
Scotch tape, huh?
Yes, that's Scotch tape.
Sorry for invading your privacy on the pretext of delivering a package!
- I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! - No, I'm the one who made you bring it!
That's right! How about some tea?
P-Please don't fuss over me!
H-Huh? I don't have anything.
I thought I had some right here.
Ms. Hannen's apartment...
It reminds me of my apartment.
Sorry! Hold on a few minutes!
I'm gonna order online!
Y-You don't have to do that for me!
It's okay! I'm a premium member!
If I order it now, it'll come by this evening!
Y-You don't have to.
Help, Shion!
That's not eligible for immediate delivery!
U-Um, if you want a drink, I can go to the convenience store.
Convenience store?
W-Want to go to the convenience store?
I-I can't do that!
Wh-Why not?
I don't have the clothes to go to the convenience store.
I-It's the convenience store.
Even the convenience store!
I don't have the clothes to wear any farther than the garbage cans outside!
Huh? But what about the clothes you wore for the entrance exams?
I didn't.
I didn't take the exams.
Two years ago, when I was a third-year high school student,
everything was smooth sailing for me.
I was the president of student council,
had irreproachable conduct, and was a high achiever.
I was basically a perfect student.
Third-year, Class 2 Seat: 18 Name: Hiroe Hannen
ABILITY TEST ENGLISH ANSWER SHEET
I was told getting into the college of my choice would be a breeze.
However...
...on the day of the entrance exam, there was suddenly heavy snow.
I wasn't discovered for two hours.
After being rescued, I got a terrible cold.
I couldn't take my backup college's exam,
let alone the one for my first choice.
How awful...
Hannen-senpai, good work on the entrance exam!
Th-Thanks.
I'd like to go to the same college as you,
but I know it's really tough to get in.
If I do pass the test, we'll be together again next year!
Y-Yeah, that's right.
- Good luck! - Thanks!
Staying in town after that got awkward,
so I moved away and started living alone, but...
If I do pass the test, we'll be together again next year!
Unable to forget that feeling,
I became more and more of a shut-in.
And then, this year's college entrance exams...
It's so silly. I look like an idiot, right?
It isn't silly!
I-It isn't silly,
and you don't look like an idiot!
Ms. Ichinose...
I-I...
I'm a year behind, too.
So you're a year behind in high school, huh?
It must've been hard on you, Ms. Ichinose.
Oh, no, not really!
You've had it much rougher, Ms. Hannen!
No, no, having a gap year before high school is rough!
You've had a much tougher time than me, Ms. Ichinose!
But I am in high school now, and I've made friends,
so I'm much better off than you, Ms. Hannen!
Much better off...
I-I'm sorry!
No, you're right.
When I can't even go to the convenience store,
taking college entrance exams is just a dream.
U-Um, I'll help you! Let's do our best together, Ms. Hannen!
Ms. Ichinose...
The first step should be going to the convenience store!
Yes, good idea! My goal is the convenience store!
That's a low bar...
N-No, you start with small steps and then keep going.
Come to think of it, this is my first time telling someone about my gap year.
Oh, that's right!
I just remembered!
I have a sweatshirt with a cute picture on it.
What do you think about wearing this outside?
First off, we need to choose your clothes.
You're ignoring me?
I thought you could try wearing my clothes,
but they're a little childish.
No, I think it's cute,
but I'm not sure it'd look good on me, and it's probably a little too small.
Then, what about Shion's clothes?
Well, we are about the same height.
Boom!
The top would hang on me.
Yeah, it would be too roomy.
Why not order something online?
I didn't think of that!
SUMMER DRESS SALE!
She even bought Scotch tape online?
Ms. Hannen, you don't need to look at sweats.
I couldn't help it!
Sleeveless Shirt Dress
No good.
I have no idea what to buy!
I guess we should go to a store and look at the real thing.
Sorry.
No, go ahead.
Hello-hello, it's Tamate!
Tama, what's up?
Are we supposed to turn in that math worksheet on Monday?
No, Wednesday.
That's a relief!
I forgot mine at school!
Oh, really?
Actually, Tama, I'd like to ask you for advice.
I see!
When it comes to that kind of thing, talking to Eiko is your best bet!
Good idea! Eiko seems to be in the know about clothes.
I'll go ahead and send her an e-mail!
Thank you, Tama!
Talk to you later!
Yep! Bye-bye!
EIKO TOKURA
Eiko?
Hello?
Hana? I just got an e-mail from Tama, but it says,
"It seems you're free to do whatever you please
with Hana's acquaintance, a 20-year-old woman, he-he."
What does that mean?
Tama...
Coming!
The see-no-evil monkey is here!
The speak-no-evil monkey is here!
And I'm the no-fashion-faux-pas monkey!
I'm here to dress you up...
in fashionable attire!
Um, Hana, Tamate is the one who wanted to do this.
Eiko and I aren't to blame.
You two are both turncoats!
Hiroe?
Nice to meet you. I'm Eiko Tokura.
M-Ms. Tokura...
It's Eiko.
M-Ms. To—
E-i-ko.
E-E-Eiko...
There, you did it!
Wow, Eiko is insistent.
She sure is.
Did you two go somewhere today?
Oh, these are my lounging-around clothes.
Me, too.
I wanted to change, but Eiko rushed me.
It's a waste to only wear an adorable outfit like that at home!
Aw, you look like an angel!
This is my parents' hobby.
Your parents have great taste!
Good job!
I guess there are all kinds of at-home clothes.
Not counting that.
All right...
I think these would look good on Hiroe.
Just change clothes?
Or do everything with hair and makeup, too?
Which pattern should we do?
Um...
Everything!
That was the moment my curiosity exceeded my consideration.
That was so much fun!
What a blast! Thank you, Hana!
Th-Thank you.
They did what they pleased with a 20-year-old woman.
So let's take a look.
I give you Hiroe!
Well?
- Who's that? - Who's that?
D-Do I look that different?
You're a true technician, Eiko.
Not at all.
Maybe you're also a different person when you take your makeup off, Eiko?
No, I'm not wearing any makeup.
You're terrible, Tama.
Th-This is me?
So now that you're dressed up, where are you going? A class reunion?
C-Convenience store.
Convenience store?
I see. So that's what it is.
If that's the case, then how about this look instead?
Good! That's very good, Ms. Hannen!
Really?
It's pretty good.
A young woman I don't know is back to being Ms. Hannen!
Welcome home, Ms. Hannen!
I-I'm back.
Well, you're ready,
so go shopping and buy yourself some clothes and shoes.
Oh, I can't! I'm not prepared for that!
After all, you don't even have the clothes to go to a convenience store.
I-I'll just borrow your clothes today.
Yes, but the issue won't go away by the end of the day.
I-I was thinking that today's goal is going to the convenience store.
Kamu?
Is that really enough?
Is it really enough just to go to the convenience store?
Oh, that's true.
Here I am, trying again to run away from the problem in front of me.
Ms. Hannen...
I never thought a little girl like this would point that out to me.
M-Ms. Hannen...
Kamuri is mad.
Whew, my HP sure has dropped!
The clerks at clothing stores sure are persistent.
True.
Here's a list of matching outfits.
Th-Thank you.
I'm not good at that kind of stuff, so it's a big help.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
I can come over anytime!
Oh, I don't...
And also...
Eiko is pushier than any sales clerk.
You're right about that.
I'm glad you were able to find some really nice clothes today.
Thank you, Ms. Ichinose.
If you and your friends hadn't dragged me out of the apartment,
I doubt I would've ever left it.
I'm really grateful.
Ms. Hannen...
M-Ms. Ichinose,
have you told your friends about your gap year?
Um, actually...
No.
I see.
Yeah, makes sense.
Sometimes I think that telling them wouldn't change anything, but...
But you're scared that it would change things.
So you can't tell them.
I get it.
You understand?
I do! I totally understand!
Th-This may be the first time someone's understood it!
And this is the first time I've felt such an affinity for someone!
U-Um, is it okay if I call you Hiroe?
Of course! Call me that all the time!
And I want to call you Hana!
Hiroe!
Hana!
Hiroe!
Hana!
But even so...
I do want to tell them the truth sometime.
Yeah.
But you can do it in your own good time.
But if I don't stress about it, then I can't actually imagine doing it.
I understand.
I so understand, Hana.
Oh!
Good morning, Ms. Hannen.
Oh, hi! Good morning!
Going out?
Just to the convenience store!