Sorry, I gotta run!
Huh? You gonna eat then?
At least have some bread!
I'll eat when I get home!
It'll dry out even if I wrap it up!
I'll make it into French toast then!
Okay, I'm leaving!
Seven thirty, on the dot.
Yup!
I have a boyfriend now.
I was nervous about how our relationship might change,
and I wasn't sure what to do if it got weird between us...
You were up until two last night studying, weren't you?
Oh, were you up too, Izumi?
You should've said hi.
Nah, you seemed focused.
...but things are so comfortable between us, like nothing's changed.
It makes me wonder if it's really okay for me to be this happy.
Hey, grab this for a sec.
Okay!
Get those cleaned up, alright?
Okay!
I'm happy for you, Kazusa.
Huh?
Don't worry.
I really hate being lied to, so don't change on account of me.
Go enjoy your romance.
Enjoy my romance!
Were the leaves on the trees always this transparent?
Were French bulldogs always this cute?
Did the soba shop always smell this good?
Handmade Country-Style Soba & Udon
Man, that smells amazing.
I know I just had breakfast, but I'm freakin' starving.
Yeah, I'm hungry, too!
I skipped breakfast, after all.
Wait, really?
Hey, wanna dash in there and eat real quick?
Was Izumi always this...
Yeah, let's do that!
The word "romance" is not yet written
In the pages of this book born of love
Jealousy, fever, bundles of unnecessary feelings.
I'm always jumping to the wrong conclusions.
That's why I want to take some time...
...to think about you as I stand by your side.
I want to be your girlfriend.
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
PURITY
You deceived us!
After you were so hostile to the mere thought of boys...
Episode 9: The Orange Fox's Lilies
All the while doing what she did when our backs were turned.
B-but look how pretty Sonezaki-senpai is now!
I can totally believe it's because she's fallen in love-
It wasn't because I fell in-
No!
I am a woman who fell victim to love!
I, Rika Sonezaki, was changed!
You girls are far too used to viewing boys with suspicion!
I will tell you here and now what boys are really like!
Indeed, boys are actually...
I thought you didn't like me.
Huh?
Whenever our eyes met, you'd look away.
I mean, that was because I thought you didn't like the whole idea of, you know, dating me.
They're much more sensitive than I thought...
But I saw you having fun with that one girl.
Which girl? When?
You don't remember? It was only a couple hours ago!
Sorry, I remember I was talking with a girl,
I just don't remember who.
And while they may be lacking in imagination...
Unbelievable! Especially after how touchy-feely you two were being!
I swear, I don't remember!
The only girl I really remember stuff about is you, Sonezaki-san.
They're somewhat stupid, in a way,
but it's that stupidity that makes them cute.
They're pure-minded. Honest.
That's why it's easy to mistake their actions and intent...
She's... totally bragging about him, isn't she?
Yes, most likely, she is.
In any case, we must rethink our perceptions of boys!
Boys aren't vulgar, thoughtless creatures.
Indeed, boys are...
humans just like us!
We already knew that.
I think you were the only one who didn't treat them like humans before.
She's right!
Huh?
Boys worry about a lot of things, just like we do.
But if we work together to understand each other,
we can make a better world for everyone.
You've really matured, Kazusa.
Th-thank you!
Looks like Sonezaki-san and Onodera-san are winning.
Winning?
Yes.
When someone feels as if they are ahead of the game, they act as if they have discovered some truth.
At first, it would appear as if they have become more kind, more tolerant,
but in truth, their ability to exercise their imagination on their surroundings is greatly impaired.
I suppose that would mean well for the creative efforts of the so-called "losers."
Personally, I would believe that.
Works of fiction written when one is "losing" are filled with more hunger and are far more powerful.
Then I'll be able to write something incredible right now.
Huh?
Are you in love with Tomita-sensei?
What?!
I...
I couldn't get with Tomita-sensei.
What do you mean by "couldn't"?
Tomita-sensei's first name is Emi.
Huh?
Her last name means "full of wealth," her first means "a beautiful smile."
Her lack of childhood hardship left her carefree, and she's intelligent, too.
You could say that the mere circumstances of her birth make her a "winner," in a good way.
An incorrigible loser like me could never be with someone like...
She's a winner? More like a whale.
She's not fat!
You high school girls worship skin-and-bones thinness like a cult!
A well-rounded woman like her is far more attractive-
You're completely in love with her, aren't you?
What was that look just now?
He was blushing like a little boy.
That face...
makes me want to throw up.
I hate that face he makes when he's being dismissive.
I hate that forced smile he had when I climbed on top of him.
I hate that smug look of his when he acts like he's smarter and better than everyone...
I...
There really are more couples walking around, huh?
Did Kazusa walk home with Izumi-kun?
Oh, yeah.
Huh.
Hey, Miss Sugawara, can I talk to you about something?
Huh. So you heard all that.
Yeah.
Are you thinking about doing something to take Izumi-kun away from Kazusa?
I'm not sure yet.
But no matter what actually happens, I think that's how other people might see it.
I'm not okay with that.
I know.
Thank you.
I was really happy, you know.
You and Kazusa were the first friends I ever had.
Bye.
Wait!
C'mon, do you want Izumi-kun so bad that you're willing to lose friends over him?!
He's just one person, and we're two!
I can't think of anything right now,
but if you chose us instead, we'd make it worth your while!
So please...
But you can't have sex...
You can't have ess-ee-ecks with your friends.
You can't have ess-ee-ecks with your friends...
Huh?
So my dad wants to do it again this year.
Yeah? Well, we're gonna need a lighter then, huh?
What now? Wanna come over?
Huh?
Oh, uh...
I just asked 'cause you come over a lot, not 'cause...
R-right, yeah!
Sure, I'll come over!
Okay.
That's right. Why did I jump to conclusions?
This comfort between us that has never changed up 'til now...
Never changed up 'til now... What does "'til now" even mean?
I mean, nowadays, I've been acting really weird.
Oh, I'll get us something to drink.
Okay.
There are ten years of history between Izumi and I...
And with how weird I was acting lately, I almost destroyed them all.
All those things happened...
Even when I tried to pretend I wasn't thinking about sexual stuff, it was totally obvious I was...
It's not like I wanna do stuff with Kazusa right away, but...
Girls think about it, too.
Kazusa does, too.
But if I don't do something, Kazusa will think...
...or even you, Kazusa!
I don't want to do it with anyone! Not one bit!
I've never even thought about it!
She might get upset...
Thanks.
Sure.
Where am I gonna sit? Where is he gonna sit?
Before...
we always sat together like this.
But now...
If we're dating, then...
She's probably worried...
that I'm not gonna sit next to her, huh.
I did it! He did it!
Thanks for this.
Yeah, no problem.
What do we do now?
I've gotta say something.
What were we talking about before?
We were just talking about his dad's barbecue...
Oh, sorry!
Wait, why are you apologizing?!
Huh?
I mean...
At the bonfire, we held hands for a really long time...
Y-yeah, huh.
You're right.
Yeah, so...
Right.
So...
We're holding hands, now what?
Back then, walking and holding hands with everyone around seemed so natural.
Now we're just sitting here on a couch.
My hand is getting so sweaty.
It's gotta be my sweat.
It's my sweat, isn't it?
I hope Kazusa isn't grossed out.
I hope Izumi isn't grossed out.
I hope he doesn't mind a girl with sweaty hands...
It's all wet and sticky...
What the heck?!
What am I, a perverted old man?! That was incredibly lewd!
I'm home!
Huh?
Oh, Kazusa's here!
Y-yeah, hi there!
I bought some taiyaki on my way home.
Let's have some together!
Yay!
Hello?
How are things going?
Nothing that would interest you has happened yet, Saegusa-san.
I'm not calling about that. I have a book to recommend to my Literature Club girl.
Man, club got cancelled all of the sudden?
It really sucks not having club.
The culture festival is over. Let's take a breather. Shall we use today to each find a book to read in club? You got it!
Wanna go somewhere together?
Yeah, let's go shopping at...
No, I couldn't suggest that.
If we're gonna do stuff like that, then I at least want one pair of lacy underwear...
But I don't know which kind to get, so I thought I'd ask Mo-chin to help me choose...
Wanna invite Miss Sugawara, too?
Huh?
Are you worried 'cause Miss Sugawara might like Izumi-kun?
I'm not!
I'm trying not to, but...
But-
You said yourself that Miss Sugawara is our friend.
"No matter what, she's our friend!"
Was that all a lie?
No, just-
And I think you've got it all wrong about her and Izumi-kun.
Huh?
Even if Miss Sugawara thinks she has a crush on Izumi-kun, she's got it all wrong, too.
She's totally wrong about herself.
Because that wouldn't be right.
Mo-chin?
I'm just gonna go home.
I'm feeling kinda tired.
Oh, okay.
Right then, if we substitute x in this formula with...
Asada-san looks pretty depressed.
Huh?
I thought she'd start bullying Kazusa, but she hasn't.
Guess she was actually pretty serious.
Has word really gotten around about Kazusa and I that fast?
I hear someone's circulating a list of all the people who got together at the culture festival.
A list?!
So? How's it feel?
How's it feel?
Honestly, kind of confusing.
I'm fine with keeping things how they've always been,
but I also feel like that wouldn't be right.
But we've been hanging together for forever, so I don't feel like I can really judge...
Want to go ride the train?
Can we?
What do you mean, "can we"?
That means... you wanna hear me out and give me advice, right?
Should I not have offered?
No...
Thanks!
Huh?
Nobody's here.
Strong Milo: I'll Never Forget That Intense Night
The hell is this title?
I thought I might write a tell-all exposé.
Only you today?
Yes, thanks to my plotting.
Go ahead and write your exposé.
I haven't laid a finger on-
I think the fact that you haven't laid a finger on me is a problem in itself.
Think of all the inappropriate things you've said knowing I was a high school student.
If the law isn't involved, then it's not much of a problem.
And the scornful gazes of high schoolers won't hurt me at all.
Then what about the scornful gaze of Tomita-sensei... no, Emi-sensei?
What do you want?
Sleep with me.
Sleep with me just once, and I'll give up on you once and for all.
Fine.
Huh?
Wait for me at the park behind the school at 7.
Doesn't look like we can sit.
No.
Izumi-kun, have you heard of this book?
Library Rules
I'm going to the library Wait there until my club's over
Hey, Osone!
Oh my God, yes! Help me out!
You're sure it was a children's book?
Yeah.
The cover had this blonde-haired boy on this little round planet thing.
A boy on a planet...
I don't remember what it was about 'cause it was kind of complicated,
but it used really nice words, and it was pretty...
Here.
This is it! This is that pretty picture!
So the title's "The Little Prince"!
That was it.
Damn!
I knew you could find it, Osone, even with those crappy hints!
Well, the description of the cover was the most telling part.
And while it's treated like a children's book, the story is actually quite complex.
What was it about again?
The Prince lived on a tiny planet,
and there, he spoke to the single rose blooming in the garden.
That's right. Then he got into a fight with the rose.
Yes.
Then, the Prince came to the Earth.
He believed that his rose was the only one in existence, that it was special.
But on Earth, there were hundreds of thousands of roses.
There were so many that they were commonplace. This came as a shock to the Prince.
Just then, a fox came before the Prince.
The fox taught the prince that the rose blooming in his garden was unique and special.
The time the Prince had offered the rose, the bonds that had grown between them...
the time that they built up together, all of that made the rose special.
Huh.
Do you think that's kind of like you and Kazusa?
Huh?
They say that when you are in love, your world begins to revolve around them.
I'm honored to be graced with the opportunity to see that happen right before my very eyes.
You're teasing me again, aren't you?
But I guess that makes you the fox, then, Sugawara-san.
Niina, you are a fox.
The lonely fox wished to be with the Prince forever.
That is why he offered advice to the Prince after he fought and separated with his rose.
However...
because of the fox's advice,
the Prince finally comes to realize the feelings he held for the rose in his subconscious.
What happened to the fox after that?
Who knows?
Huh?
After they parted...
After the Prince left him behind, nothing more was written of him.
That's awful.
That's how the story goes...
for those who are not chosen.
Sugawara-san?
Why's it so crowded today?
I hear there was a concert at the theater nearby.
Must be around the time it let out.
Oh, huh...
Niina Sugawara
Hey
the guy behind me is touching my butt
don't say anything, I don't wanna make a scene
yeah but
can you put your hand back there to protect me
I bet he thinks I'm all talk.
He thinks all it'd take is one kiss and he could get on me.
To Milo-san, I'm just a boring, predictable loser.
Get in.
If he's going to turn me down anyway, then at the very least...
I want to entertain him in the end.
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
Am I that unattractive?
Holy shit.
Don't touch me!
What's wrong with me? I'm in love with Kazusa...
Oh, shit. Holy shit.
I can't see that going well with both of you being inexperienced.
Episode 10: Holes
Hold on a sec!
W-wait, he's going in already?