The word "romance" is not yet written
In the pages of this book born of love
Why do boys make my heart beat faster?
Do my instincts desire the genetic material that I lack?
If so, then it doesn't have to be human, does it?
They might be human, but boys...
are kind of like aliens!
It's been a boring fifteen pages
But when I turned the page
I nearly suffocated on my choked breath
I can't express these feelings in words
But they're totally overwhelming me again today
I was such a proper girl, I didn't want to know about it
About the truth behind this agony
But even if I get hurt, I won't stop reading
I can't stay pure like this
I'm learning about you in these pages
Run wild, O maidens
Fight back, O maidens
Go forth knowing that pain
We don't need a bookmark
Why'd we get on the train?
Well, I just thought people wouldn't hear us talk here.
Episode 5: Things That Changed Before We Knew It
I see.
All the better to say something cruel and heartless about Kazusa.
C-cruel and heartless?!
Would you rather I quote you and say "I don't want to do it with her, not one bit"?
Cruel and heartless is fine.
You know, I thought it'd still be rush hour, but it's not too bad.
Yeah.
The uptown line isn't that busy between 6 and 7 PM from this station.
That's because you can transfer to the Oimachi Line at the next station down.
And the second car on this line is always empty like this.
That's 'cause all the stations on the Toyoko Line have the stairs next to the...
Sorry.
You really like trains, huh.
Yeah.
I kind of like them, too. They're interesting.
Interesting?
Trains are like big boxes carrying lives.
You have unhappy people, happy people, lonely people, and people going to see their loved ones,
all riding in the same box-
That's right! That's exactly it!
I like the feeling of coexistence that you can only get on a train
more than the trains themselves!
You have total strangers sharing the space with you, feeling as close as acquaintances...
And it's like, that space you're sharing moves to an entirely different place.
I like transferring, too, because-
Come with me.
Long time no see, Saegusa-san.
Indeed.
Your boyfriend?
Just about, yes.
Is that so? You make a nice couple.
Goodbye.
S..Sugawara-san, who was that?
Miss Sugawara knows you like Izumi.
I don't think you have to worry.
Yeah, I know.
It's not that I think something's going on with them...
Just, I dunno...
I feel like I might accept it if it were true.
Accept it?
Not accept, just...
Hypothetically, if Izumi started dating someone, I'd definitely worry about them.
Okay.
Asada-san and the others girls are cute, but they're kind of scary.
But if it were Miss Sugawara...
I don't think I'd be able to win against her.
So I'd just have to accept it.
You don't have to! Kazusa, you're-
You don't have to defend me.
R-really? Okay, I won't.
She'd be tough to beat.
Thanks.
Miss Sugawara is really pretty.
So pretty it's hard to get to know her.
And she's not just pretty, she's also got a good personality.
I know!
She's smart, but she's not a show-off about it, and she's really considerate.
She's kind of... like a goddess!
Yeah!
I could totally see her wearing a big transparent dress with a big fluttery cape!
Oh, yeah, totally!
Like, she's kind of ephemeral, or like, mysterious.
You know who else is mysterious? Hongo-senpai.
Oh, definitely.
That freaked you out.
I felt the same.
You understand, yes?
If you get freaked out just by seeing your underclassmen...
then there's certainly no way you could pursue an illicit relationship.
Screw you.
I understand the situation now.
You're an aspiring novelist worried about her sexual expressions.
However, I do not want to be completely shunned by society for engaging with this.
You could do it with a high school girl. Is that what you mean by "engaging with this"?
I believe I've told you this once before, but I have no interest in high school girls.
Furthermore, it seems you've barely begun to fulfill the definition of a high school girl.
Ah, forgive me for...
I just don't know what to do.
Hongo-san...
I don't know!
And I finally found an editor...
I'm so close to making my debut...
I just... don't know what to do.
Well, may I make a proposal?
When I was still a little girl,
he told me that once I ceased to be a girl, my charms would no longer reach him.
What?
I first met him when I was 11, at the Soyokaze Troupe.
This is Saegusa-sensei, your director!
Whoa!
It's really him! Whoa!
It's really him! Is he really famous?
Saegusa was the director of the Soyokaze Troupe.
Once he went solo and got famous, he only stopped by the Troupe once a month.
He was going to direct a new show for Soyokaze.
I will now present the cast for our show.
The lead will be played by...
Niina Sugawara-san.
What?
Wait, why?
Why her?
Probably just 'cause she's pretty.
I wasn't that interested in performing with the troupe at first...
Ditching rehearsal to read, are you?
If you don't want to be the lead, then kick me, right here.
I want you so very badly...
to stand upon my stage.
Dude, he was a straight-up pedophile...
Yes, he was.
Even with how famous he's gotten, he still likes to ride the train.
He says he gets inspired by all the little children's voices.
Uh-huh...
After that, I was Saegusa's favorite.
He'd take me out to eat.
Take me to big plays.
My mom was all too happy for it.
Y-your mom was fine with it? It's totally wrong!
It wasn't wrong at all.
Why not?! It couldn't have been safe to leave you alone with that pedo-
Saegusa never laid a finger on me.
Huh?
It went on like that until I was fourteen.
Stop screwing around! It went on like that until I was fourteen.
Again. It went on like that until I was fourteen.
Even when the men of the world began to look upon me with lewd eyes...
Stop screwing around! Even when the men of the world began to look upon me with lewd eyes...
Again! Even when the men of the world began to look upon me with lewd eyes...
Stop screwing around! Even when the men of the world began to look upon me with lewd eyes...
Again!
Stop screwing around!
No! Let yourself go, and take his hand like this!
Saegusa-san, do you not want to do it with me?
I can only love your girlish nature.
"Girlish nature"?
That's right.
If I laid a finger on you, that moment, you would cease to be a little girl.
You'd become a completely different creature entirely.
So if I stop being a little girl, I won't mean anything to you anymore?
It's alright, don't you worry.
The many people around you will surely be accepting of your new, womanly charms.
However...
Unfortunately, those charms will not reach me.
But that's fine by me.
You'll fly away from me, out of my hands...
and I, stricken with grief, will venture out into the world in search of a new vestige of you.
That is the happy ending to our story.
The more you tell me about him, the more I wanna throw up.
Agreed.
And now we're back on the subject of your cruel and heartless words.
Forget whether you like or dislike her.
I think there's something wrong about telling a girl you "don't want to do it with her one bit."
Because girls have a sex drive, too?
Because they'll feel completely and totally rejected.
Is that how you-?
Okay.
I kinda see what I did wrong.
You really are a good person, Norimoto-kun.
Stop teasing me!
No, really, I can see why Kazusa has a crush on you.
You okay?
K-Kazusa has a crush on me?!
Huh?
Wait...
Did you not notice that she liked you?
Oh, uh, no, I mean...
What?
Sorry, just...
You seem like someone who'd catch on.
I just don't-
W-wait!
Wh-why'd you stop?
I'm waiting.
In any case, why don't you just ask Miss Sugawara what she was doing with Izumi-kun tomorrow?
Then we can keep having our conversations about sexuality, or whatever else we want!
Okay.
Best friends!
Kazusa sure has it rough...
Today
You okay?
You weren't at cram school...
I'm okay! Thanks for
worrying about me
Read
Just let me know if I can help!
There was one thing I couldn't say to Mo-chin 'cause I thought she'd get mad.
When I saw them...
If Miss Sugawara were serious about him...
If she wanted to do it with someone,
then she could probably do it with anyone.
And Izumi wouldn't turn her down 'cause, well, it's her.
Win-win.
What am I thinking?!
I can't stop thinking about sex, so I can't stop connecting it to everything!
No!
I said I was going to think about it...
so this is totally fine!
Kazusa?
Hey, Kazusa...
want to go take a little breather tomorrow?
Hey!
Sorry to make you wait.
It's okay.
The movie's gonna start soon. Let's head out.
Oh, how much do I owe?
It was 2,600 yen, so just pay me 1,000.
Huh? I thought we were splitting-
It's fine, don't worry.
I don't like to make girls pay. Just let me treat you, okay?
Huh?
Is that really a treat?
I ordered the 1,200-yen pasta set,
and Sugimoto-kun had the standalone pasta plate and a café latte for 1,400.
The tax was included in the price, so he really only saved me 200 yen.
And yet...
I think there's something wrong with guys who expect girls to pay.
How long is he going to keep acting all high and mighty?
It was only 200 yen.
A man's gotta do it!
Is that what men are all about?
Huh? What about men?
Oh, no, just, uh...
This is the first time I've ever been out with a guy alone.
Whoa, what about your dad though?
Oh, I don't have a dad.
Oh, yeah?
Strike!
Yay! You're so good, Dad!
You're up next, Izumi! Yay! You're so good, Dad!
You're up next, Izumi!
R-right.
This isn't a breather...
Go, Izumi!
In fact... Go, Izumi!
The ramen bill's ridin' on this one!
It's way harder to breathe! The ramen bill's ridin' on this one!
It's way harder to breathe!
I-I'm gonna go get drinks! For everyone!
Oh, yay!
I'll have a cola!
Can I get a coffee?
I can see why Kazusa has a crush on you.
Aw, come on, Izumi!
Looks like you and your dad get to pay for the ramen out of your own pockets!
Aw, man!
Get it together!
I thought you might need help carrying stuff.
You're still doing that?
Huh?
Ever since you were little, you've liked putting milk in your Calpis.
It makes it all creamy and yummy!
What am I gonna get...
Oh, this melon soda is for you.
Huh?
If you don't want it, I'll drink it.
No, I like melon soda.
Ever since you were little.
Yeah, I always have.
It's been so long since we've talked like this.
I feel like I could ask him about Miss Sugawara right now.
She's a real weirdo.
Huh?
That girl in your club, Sugawara-san.
What's wrong?
N-nothing.
You think she's weird?
She is kind of mysterious, but she's pretty, huh?
She's more weird than pretty.
Is it cool if I take these over?
Yeah.
Huh.
He thinks she's more weird than pretty.
Hearing that makes me...
Aw, you leaving already?
Yuh-huh.
Aw, why? Why are you going home?
Is there something wrong with me? Aw, why? Why are you going home?
I feel so relieved to be going home... Hey, be a cat again for me.
Meow for me, okay?
Thanks for opening up
about that soft spot of yours.
Do you trust me
a little more now?
haha jk
Meow, meow, meow... that's all for meow!
Soft spot?
What do you mean?
Like, how you don't have a dad?
Sorry, I didn't wanna write it out like that
Huh?
But don't worry,
I've got friends in the same situation,
so I don't think any different of you for it!
That's why I was glad you told me about it!
What should I do?
Is Sugimoto-kun...
Gross.
Hey, Sensei!
I had a real hard time understanding this part.
Ah, sorry about that.
So this part here, what was the author...
Sensei, are you listening to me?
I thought about it, but I'm still confused.
What do you mean by "conceptual, not direct" eroticism?
Milo: Indirect will keep me out of trouble
with the police, at the very least
Again, what does that mean?
Hitoto: Again, what does that mean
Milo: For example...
Milo: During break, going somewhere
nobody will see you
Milo: And flashing your panties at me
You get turned on by seeing a girl's panties? You're not in grade school anymore.
Milo: No, I think that will work just fine.
Milo: Just give it a try.
That was considerably incredible...
Really, considerably exciting...
And he considerably pisses me off!
You still haven't asked?
No...
Want me to ask for you?
You'll probably ask and be like "Oh, is that it?"
Oh, Miss Sugawara!
We had a question for you, Miss Sugawara!
No! It's fine!
Kazusa?
What's up?
Nothing, nothing's up!
You're acting really weird, Kazusa.
You know who else is weird? Norimoto-kun.
Kazusa! What's wrong, really?!
"No one noticed it.
Not even I noticed the change.
PURITY
It began so quietly, so surreptitiously,
slowly infiltrating each and every one of my cells."
"Weird"...
"The first moment I noticed was in early afternoon."
Maybe I'm overthinking things.
But if they both...
"I saw the same things, and spoke the same words.
But in that moment, I learned of it...
The joy that is harboring feelings for another person.
I cannot return to my former self.
There is a word to describe these feelings that came upon me when I was yet unaware:
"Love."
H-hey.
I read your report!
Don't put a comma here.
Too many commas
Indent these lines.
Leave a line open
between paragraphs
You wrote "for example"
but gave no examples.
Too many
commas again!
I took the liberty of correcting your misspellings and grammatical errors.
Check over my corrections later!
O-okay.
Wait!
Why are you reading it now?! Read it later!
Read it by yourself!
Sure, but I wanna know...
Don't!
N-no, oh no! If someone else sees...!
I-it's okay, I got it!
Will you go out
with me?
If you would be so kind
Hell yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes!
Hell yeah!
All right!
You moron, don't shout like that, okay?
Someone's going to hear you...
You're so dumb.
Why are you so happy?
You're just... the biggest moron.
God, tell me
Hey, God? Tell me...
(What is it?) Hey, God? Tell me...
(Go ahead) Hey, God? Tell me...
Do grown-ups like bitter-tasting things?
C'mon, tell me!
You always give me vague answers
(Don't get mad) You always give me vague answers
I made a video for myself ten years from now
But I deleted it right after
It takes all you've got just to live a week
Paint over the calendar
Let's get excited in this amazing weather
Cinderella in love, trying so hard to be an adult
Took off her sparkling, cramped glass slippers
Stop stretching yourself, relax, take a deep breath
That's right, I'm going to enjoy my present self
Treasure this fleeting dream
Next Episode
Erotica's no good! It's all about the "stories of youth" now!
A field trip?!
I think I can go to the next stage.
Whoa, dude, those are kinda cool!
It's cool if I say I'm your boyfriend, right, Sonezaki-san?
You rang? It's cool if I say I'm your boyfriend, right, Sonezaki-san?
Even I think that's pretty weird! It's cool if I say I'm your boyfriend, right, Sonezaki-san?
Even I think that's pretty weird!
That's also part of "indirect sexual play," isn't it?
Yes, doesn't it arouse you? That's also part of "indirect sexual play," isn't it?
Yes, doesn't it arouse you?
What do looks have to do with it?
Things are heating up!
I want to bid him farewell.
Episode 6:
Maidens in
the Woods
The scents of youth really make me dizzy.