Blue sky!
Blue sea!
Let's have some summer fun!
Yahoo!
Hinata-chan, that's cold!
Take that!
Akari!
Caught you!
It's coming your way!
I got it!
What kind of harassment is this?
Thus the vampire becomes even paler...
Episode 7
Summer Break Spent with a Vampire
What do you think, Sophie-chan?
It's the sea!
Are you having fun?
How could I be?!
Sunlight...
Running water...
When I woke up, I found myself surrounded by my mortal enemies.
Akari, please explain why I'm in such a place.
You said you'd never been to the beach before.
And now it's finally summer break.
And... there.
Your bag's awfully large.
So you brought me here while I was asleep?
You didn't notice?
You even have a swimsuit on, so I thought you were totally into it!
I have a vague recollection of changing while I was half-asleep.
I slept really well, since something was rocking me.
Vampires sure do sleep deeply.
W-Was this a bad idea?
I did bring your parasol and cloak, but I guess
it's still not okay?
Of course it's not okay!
Even now, I'm surrounded by danger on all sides!
I didn't know you didn't get her permission.
Even for a surprise, you took this way too far.
She's partially to blame for sleeping through it, but...
I just wanted to enjoy my summer break with you.
I invited Ellie, too, but she said no.
Of course she did!
Ah, that's so good.
Changing up one's situation can be pretty nice.
I'm so sorry.
Let's go home.
Jeez...
Wait, so you like being in there?
Yeah. It's quite comfortable in here.
You mean you took her away while she was sleeping?
That's terrifying.
You're like a demon sometimes, Akari.
The sea was almost the last sight I ever saw.
I'm sorry.
I just wanted to share my precious summer break with you.
I appreciate that, but still...
Isn't there some kind of summer activity we could enjoy together?
The pool's no good.
Rivers are no good.
We can't go to any outdoor events.
Hey, what if we do some dares?
What does that mean?
It's a traditional summer pastime in Japan.
You visit graves and stuff.
Oh, that sounds like fun!
You go at night, so you both should be fine.
No!
If there are ghosts, it'll be scary!
Yeah, I guess so...
I thought I could spend all day with Sophie-chan once it was summer break.
I'm glad you're at home all the time.
If I think about it, though, she's asleep during the day.
Quiet...
I wish she'd wake up already.
A storm?
I guess this is summer.
Maybe I'll sleep a little more.
Good morning, Sophie-chan!
Mornin—
You slept in late today.
Yeah...
I was thinking I should adjust my sleep schedule to yours over summer break.
I wouldn't do that.
Humans have a rhythm that suits them best.
Once, I tried waking up at 6 AM and going to bed at 10 PM for a while.
What a refreshing morning.
I'll do some cleaning while the sun is still out.
Oh, Sophie-chan. Going out?
Just a short walk before dinner.
Why? Why do I feel so alert and unable to sleep?
It's always bright outside.
And thus, little by little, I started to get depressed.
But that seems like such a healthy schedule.
Ta-da!
I made you a summery shaved ice!
I brought the shaved ice machine we've been using since I was little from my house!
Freeze
So cold...
There's a lot more, so eat up!
The shaved ice maker is terrifying!
I guess it melted a bit...
It's hot even in the evening this time of year.
Sophie-chan, aren't you hot in those long sleeves?
Since vampires don't have a body temperature like humans do,
wearing clothes doesn't actually make us warmer.
I see...
Oh!
So that means you're nice and cool, and doing this will feel good.
You're smothering me. Stop it.
That reminds me.
The flowers I planted in the garden are blooming nicely.
You should see them!
S-Sure...
Wilt...
So this is "nicely"?
* Morning glory
Is this what you call "wabi-sabi"?
How deep.
They looked so pretty this morning.
I forgot they don't bloom at night.
If you look at them in sunlight, they're really pretty.
This time of year, sunflowers and hollyhock are really vibrant.
It's too bright during the day, and I can't really make out the colors of the flowers.
Then next time, I'll plant some in a pot and put them inside!
No, it's fine.
Huh?
I don't like flowers. They wilt so quickly.
Sophie-chan?
Good evening.
Welcome, Ellie-chan!
What are you two doing in the garden?
Ellie, you might have been invited in once,
but can't you come in through the gate?
It just rained, and I didn't want to get my shoes wet.
That's not a good reason.
Can't we just go inside?
Hey, wait!
Isn't there anything summery I can enjoy with Sophie-chan?
Yuri-chan, hurry up! It's about to start!
Wait, Miki! I can't run in this outfit!
You're watching those moving pictures again?
Don't worry! You've got the track team's ace on your side!
It's anime. I had a bunch recorded, so I thought I should watch it.
Uh, what does that have to do with it?
Miki-chan, over here!
Wow, it's so pretty!
Wait... I'm not ready for that yet.
Kimono?
Is this a period drama?
You two are late.
No, those are yukata.
I already ate all the cotton candy, yakisoba, takoyaki, and shaved ice.
In Japan, they wear those to festivals.
That was fast!
A fireworks show...
This is it!
It's something you do at night, and it's a summer thing.
It's perfect!
Now that that's decided, I need to get our yukata ready.
I don't know what's going on, but it looks fun.
Oh, it's cosplay!
Good morning.
Good morning, Sophie-chan!
A yukata!
The fireworks show is tonight!
Right, that's today.
Let's get you changed!
I'll help you dress.
Okay, thanks.
It's done!
How does it look?
It really suits you!
How do you like the yukata?
Is something wrong with it?
Well, it's just that vampires aren't alive, so I was wondering
if it's still okay to have the left side go over the right.
That's such a small detail. Don't worry about it.
Besides, people will just think you put it on wrong.
Hey, Sophie! The kimono looks great.
I already told you, it's a yukata.
Is mine done, too?
Of course!
Then hand it over!
Well? Do I look good?
Ellie-chan, you look lovely!
Adorable!
You look just like a doll.
This seems hard to walk in, though.
That's improper.
We don't do this every day, so why don't we make our feet cute, too?
There's still time until the show, so I'll give you a pedicure.
Stop twitching. I can't paint them like that.
I can't move?
Must not move... Must not move...
Sophie's feet are very ticklish.
What?
Discovering someone's weakness is... great.
There it is again...
That demon I sometimes sense inside Akari.
Heya!
Are you all read— Oh!
Yeah!
We're all ready to go.
You're all in yukata!
I made them myself.
They look good, huh?
They do!
What's wrong, Hinata?
Oh, nothing. Ready to go?
I'm jealous that they all look so good in yukata.
I wish I was a bit more feminine...
Just kidding.
Wait!
Huh?
You're not ready yet.
I made you a yukata, too!
No, I'm not...
You have no say in this.
Wait!
Fireworks Festival
Wow, it's really crowded!
This reminds me of Bastille Day.
Submit
A
At th
At the
At the fire
At the fireworks
At the fireworks sh
At the fireworks show
At the fireworks show!
At the fireworks show!!
I feel like such a normie.
Hinata-chan, hurry up!
What's wrong?
Why are you fidgeting?
I-I haven't worn a yukata since I was a little kid.
I feel so self-conscious.
But Akari made this just for me.
It fits perfectly.
I think I'm happy.
You're happy that you're self-conscious?
That's weird.
So Hinata's into that sort of thing, huh?
We all have different values, and that's a good thing.
What are you talking about?
There are so many booths.
There's all sorts of them!
I got some cotton candy and a candy apple.
Both of those are candy.
Says the person who got takoyaki and grilled squid.
Festivals always have so much good food.
Good food?
Like blood candy?
Chilled Blood
Delicious Blood
Or chilled blood?
I don't think they'll have anything like that.
Sophie, look at the fishies swimming around!
These are goldfish. You scoop them out as a game.
So you're rescuing these fish from the stall's owner?
Here, on the house. Come play again!
I guess that's not wrong...
Wow, thanks!
Sophie-chan, that's amazing!
We're vampires, and it's night.
Catching fish like these is child's play.
You didn't catch any.
You can have these, Akari.
Oh, thank you!
But we don't have an aquarium.
What should we do?
Aquarium?
I'll need a bunch of things if we're going to keep them.
You mean you don't eat the goldfish with rice?
No, you don't!
Huh?
What's wrong, Yuu?
I could've sworn I just saw Sophie-san.
Really? Sophie-chan?
She was wearing a yukata, though, so it probably wasn't her.
Sis, I want some baby castella!
Okay.
Wow!
That's amazing.
It's so pretty!
Isn't it beautiful?
It is!
It is beautiful,
but what's the point of spending all this energy and money
on flowers that disappear in an instant?
This cost-performance index is lousy.
That's not true.
Huh?
They vanish in an instant, but they'll stay in our memories forever.
It's not pointless.
That's why I'm glad I got to see the fireworks with you.
I see.
Are you blushing?
Lovey-dovey
What about me?! What about me?!
I'm glad I got to see it with you, too!
What's that?
Is someone flying?
Japan has such pretty fireworks, too!
Stop flying!
And up here, I'm so close to them! They're so pretty!
There are going to be more weird rumors!
You think we really fooled them about Ellie?
Vampires fly. It's what they do.
Now, listen...
I hope we can see the fireworks together again next year, and every year after that.
That would be nice.
Right?
It'd be great if we were always together.
Does this mean Akari will stay by my side forever, without ever getting a boyfriend?!
What's wrong, Hinata-chan?
Nothing. Go on ahead without me.
Look, Sophie-chan, this is for you.
What is it?
I made a bookmark with a pressed morning glory.
This one won't wilt or shrivel at night, and it's practical!
You're right. Thank you.
These days I wouldn't use this, since I almost exclusively read ebooks,
but I won't mention that.
Episode 8
The Last Day of Summer Break
I'm standing alone under this tree.
I don't have anything in particular with me.
Which means...
I can't take even a single step.
This all started that time I went on a walk.
I'll just rest a bit here.
A sunflower?
Maybe some kids were playing with it.
I wonder how many seeds it has.
Seeing something like this really makes me want to start counting.
One...
A peculiar trait of vampires
Two...
Three...
Four...
Five...
One hundred and ninety-seven...
One hundred and ninety-eight...
One hundred and ninety-nine...
Two hundred...
Five hundred and twelve...
Five hundred and thirteen...
Five hundred and fourteen...
Eight hundred and eighty-eight...
Eight hundred and eighty-nine...
Eight hundred and ninety...
One thousand, two hundred and twenty-nine...
One thousand, two hundred and thirty...
One thousand, two hundred and thirty-one.
I finally counted them all.
It's totally morning!
I didn't even notice.
Obviously, I have neither my cloak nor my parasol.
I didn't bring my phone, either.
Isn't there any way for me to leave?
I have a single 500 yen coin with me.
Could I buy an umbrella with this?
Probably not.
Ones that aren't transparent plastic are more expensive.
I could call Akari on a pay phone and ask her to bring me a parasol.
Wait, do they still have pay phones?
As long as I'm stuck under this tree,
having some change won't do me any good anyway.
I guess I've got no choice but to wait here until the sun goes down.
I'm getting sleepy...
I don't have anything to do, so I guess I'll take a little nap.
Giraffe blood is just as sweet as I imagined.
Yup, capybara blood is gross...
If I fall asleep, I'll die!
The sun is getting stronger.
How many more hours am I going to have to stay out here by myself?
This is harder than I thought.
Sophie-chan, there you are!
I came to collect you.
Collect me?
Are you the grim reaper?
No! It's me!
I'm so glad I found you!
Akari, is that you?
It was so bright, I couldn't really see you.
You weren't home in the morning, and I started to worry
that maybe something happened to you while you were out on your walk!
Oh. I'm really sorry.
Shall we go home, then?
Yeah, let's go.
Oh! I'm so sorry!
I was in such a rush, I didn't bring your parasol or anything.
I'll go get it.
It's fine.
Please just stay here.
The shade feels so nice, and this juice is so cold!
Good thing I had that change.
We ended up staying until the sun went down, and then walked home together.